The Research, Industry, Startup and Entrepreneurship (RISE) Conclave 2026 concluded with remarkable energy and purpose at the Chennai Trade Centre, marking two days of vibrant dialogue, strategic networking, and forward-looking collaborations. The conclave stood as a powerful testament to India’s collective resolve to transform research excellence into real-world impact, in alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The event brought together thought leaders from academia, premier research laboratories, industry, and the startup ecosystem to deliberate on strengthening partnerships that accelerate innovation-led growth. A central theme that resonated throughout the sessions was the urgent need to translate research outcomes into scalable technologies and commercially viable solutions that can drive national development.
Delivering the Presidential Address, N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Secretary, DSIR, emphasized the importance of building integrated innovation ecosystems. She highlighted that collaborative research and cross-sector partnerships are vital to strengthening India’s scientific leadership and technological self-reliance.
In his welcome address, Dr. P. Thanikaivelan, Director of CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), underscored the transformative potential of stronger academia–industry linkages. He reiterated that national progress depends on seamless collaboration between knowledge creators and technology adopters.
Providing an overview of the conclave, Dr.(Smt.)N. Anandavalli, Director of CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC) and Coordinating Director, CSIR Madras Complex, highlighted the event’s focused mission: to build enduring partnerships that convert laboratory research into industry-ready solutions.
The industry sessions were equally dynamic, featuring leaders who shared practical insights on systems engineering, advanced construction technologies, innovation management, and startup journeys. Speakers including Mr. Prasanna Ramamurthy (Collins Aerospace & INCOSE India), Mr. C.Y. Shivaji (Larsen & Toubro Ltd.), Mr. Sathish Priyadarshini (Dextra India), and Mr. Sunil S. Nair (Magic Myna) emphasized that sustained industry engagement is crucial for accelerating technology adoption, scaling innovation, and fostering entrepreneurship.
A major highlight of the conclave was the vibrant Startup Expo, which witnessed participation from over 140 startups and MSMEs built around technologies developed at CSIR-SERC, CSIR-CLRI and CSIR-CECRI. The expo showcased cutting-edge solutions spanning multiple sectors, reflecting the growing strength of India’s deep-tech startup ecosystem.
In his closing remarks at the Academy–Institute–Industry Partnership session, Dr. K. Ramesha, Director of CSIR-CECRI, expressed sincere appreciation to the dignitaries, speakers, innovators, and participants for their valuable contributions to the conclave’s success. The session concluded with the presentation of mementoes and a formal vote of thanks.
B.Tech students also organized a pitch battle to showcase their entrepreneurial abilities, with leading entrepreneurs evaluating their ideas and performance.
The two-day RISE Conclave 2026 culminated with closing remarks by Dr. K. J. Sreeram, Outstanding Scientist, CSIR and former Director of CSIR-CLRI, who reaffirmed the collective national resolve to foster a dynamic innovation ecosystem where research excellence, industry expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit unite to drive India’s sustainable and inclusive growth.