Information and Media Outreach Cell
IIT Kanpur
Abhivyakti 2025 Concludes with a Celebration of Innovation and Collaboration
19 January, 2025
Abhivyakti 2025 continued its legacy of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship with an action-packed Day 2 and Day 3, drawing thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to IIT Kanpur's campus. The two days featured insightful discussions, impactful product launches, and dynamic sessions that underscored the event’s commitment to driving societal progress through innovation and collaboration.
Day 2 commenced with a powerful panel discussion on "The Role of Circular Economy in Preserving Precious Earth Resources," emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable practices in addressing global environmental challenges. Esteemed speakers, including Shri J.B. Ravinder (Ex-Joint Advisor, CPHEEO, MoHUA), Prof. Rajiv Sinha (IIT Kanpur), Shri Vikas Garg (AVP, Dalmia Polypro), and Shri Anil Chaudhary (Head Operations, ESSL, Govt. of India), shared their expertise, highlighting innovative approaches to waste management and resource sustainability. Moderated by Mr. Somesh Bhagat (Mentor, SIIC, IIT Kanpur), the session inspired the audience to adopt a circular economy mindset for a sustainable future. Following the panel, the event announced the second cohort of the Startup Gateway for Garbage Free Cities 2.0, building on last year’s success in supporting innovative startups under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
The vibrancy of IIT Kanpur’s entrepreneurial ecosystem was on full display during the product launches by startups incubated at the Social Innovation Lab 2.0. Companies like Planterra Banana Fibres Pvt. Ltd., Openspectrum.AI Pvt. Ltd., and Vivifica Sustainable Solutions Pvt. Ltd. showcased cutting-edge innovations, reflecting the incubation center’s commitment to nurturing groundbreaking ideas. Another highlight of the day was a thought-provoking panel on nurturing disruptive innovations in healthcare, featuring key stakeholders such as Dr. Ravinder Singh (Senior Scientist, Assistive Technologies, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi), Dr. Abhishek Kumar Singh IFS, (Director, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India), Dr. Dinesh Tiwari, Assistant Commissioner (Drugs), Food Safety and Drug Administration, Govt of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Vijay Kumar Seth, CEO, Seth Pharmaceuticals, Kanpur and Dr. Rajeev Kumar (Scientist - F, Technology, Translation and Innovation Division, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India). The session explored strategies to accelerate advancements in diagnostics, personalized medicine, and medical technologies, ultimately aiming to make healthcare more accessible and efficient.
Innovations in agricultural practices took center stage with a panel discussion exploring advancements in agri-tech, featuring experts like Dr. Anand Kumar Singh (Vice Chancellor, CSA University) and Mr. Pankaj Kumar, CGM, NABARD, Lucknow. Discussions focused on emerging technologies, sustainable farming practices, and the role of government policies in transforming the agricultural sector. Leadership talks by Prof. Sandeep Shukla (IIT Kanpur) and Prof. Vinay Pathak (Vice Chancellor of Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University) added depth to the day, with insights on innovation, cybersecurity, and bridging the gap between academia and industry.
Funding insights took the spotlight with a panel discussion exploring lesser-known aspects of the investing and CSR world. Eminent panellists, including, Shri Vivek Khare – Strategic Advisor, Lets Venture, Shri Rathnakar Samavedam – Investment Director & CEO, Hyderabad Angels, Dr. Vishal Gandhi – CEO, BioRx Ventures, Shri Sourabh Srivastava – India Head - Strategic Projects & Partnership, Corporate Social Responsibility, Tata Consultancy Services, and, Shri Maneesh Srivastava (Moderator) – Founder, Alphavalue Ventures, shed light on the dynamics between investors and startups, CSR-driven innovation, and strategies for leveraging funding opportunities for societal impact.
On Day 2 of Abhivyakti, an MoU was signed between PSIT Kanpur and FIRST (SIIC, IIT Kanpur), aimed to drive innovation and support startup growth. Day 2 wrapped up with a vibrant gala dinner and awards ceremony, celebrating achievements in categories such as Best Startup Stall, Best Pitch, and Best Participation.
Day 3 of Abhivyakti captivated attendees with insightful sessions and inspiring discussions. In collaboration with Hero MotoCorp, T-Hub provided a dynamic platform for startups, with Mr. Jai Shankar Sharma (Mentor, SIIC, IIT Kanpur) discussing the growth and opportunities within the automotive industry. Emphasizing the power of collaboration, T-Hub reinforced its commitment to fostering innovation by offering startups essential mentorship and resources.
The standout session of the day, moderated by Dr. Madhukar Varshney, Founder of NimbleQ, highlighted 18 student-led startups pre-incubated by NimbleQ in partnership with StartinUP and Integral University. Students from grades 4 to 9 developed 12 industry-ready products, some of which are already patent-pending. Through collaborations with the HCL Foundation and Premanjali Foundation, their Digital Literacy Program has equipped 75 lakh students in Uttar Pradesh with vital digital skills.
The day also featured exciting product demonstrations by startups, including SimDaaS Autonomy Pvt. Ltd., SunSync Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Lifeandlimb.ai, and Scalligent Technologies Pvt. Ltd., each showcasing their innovative solutions."
Speaking on the closing ceremony, Prof. Deepu Philip, Professor-in-Charge of SIIC, IIT Kanpur said, “Abhivyakti has always been a beacon of innovation and transformation, and this year’s festival has truly raised the bar. Over the past three days, it has been truly inspiring to witness visionary ideas evolve into impactful solutions. The remarkable innovation and diversity displayed by the startups here underscore the immense potential of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. As we conclude this chapter of Abhivyakti 2025, we eagerly anticipate seeing these ventures thrive and drive meaningful change in the future.”
Abhivyakti 2025 successfully showcased IIT Kanpur’s vision of driving meaningful change through innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. Reaffirming the institute’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs, the festival’s success sets the stage for even greater achievements in the years to come. IIT Kanpur invites all startups to stay tuned for updates on upcoming editions of this transformative event.