The third annual India Global Innovation Connect (IGIC), IGIC 2024, has commenced on 6 June 2024 at the Hilton Manyata Business Park, Bengaluru, bringing together key figures in the global and Indian technology ecosystems. Organized by Smadja & Smadja, IGIC is a premier event aimed at fostering technological innovation and enhancing collaboration between Indian startups and international investors.
Also read: Startup Mahakumbh – Indians On-route to Becoming Job Creators As Opposed to Job Seekers
The theme of the conference, which runs from June 6-7, 2024, this year centers around India’s emergence as a prime destination for startup investments and the synergies between Indian and foreign investors. The opening session was delivered by Claude Smadja, President, Smadja & Smadja and Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission.
A Global Platform for Innovation Dialogue
IGIC 2024 serves as a vibrant platform for outcome-oriented dialogues between technology developers and business end-users. The event has attracted an impressive lineup of speakers including top Indian business leaders, startup founders, executives, and technology thought leaders, as well as their foreign peers and partners.
BV Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, joined the conversation on India’s positioning in the global startup ecosystem alongside prominent figures such as Satya Bansal, CEO of Blue Ashva Capital, Anand Prasanna, Managing Partner, Iron Pillar Capital Management, UAE and Andrea Danila, Founder of Global Millennial Capital.
Sessions Highlighting India’s Innovation Ecosystem at IGIC 2024
The day’s aims at addressing critical topics such as India’s leap in digitization and its burgeoning startup ecosystem, now the third largest in the world. Keynote sessions and panels explored:
- India as a Destination of Choice for Investment in Startups: This session highlighted India’s rapid digital transformation and the growing interest of foreign VCs and PEs in the Indian market.
- Riding the Wave of the Digital Consumer Revolution: Hari Menon, CEO of BigBasket, discussed the implications of India’s rise as the third largest e-commerce market.
- Shapers of the Future: Innovators like Kumaar Bagrodia of Arkni PhotoBioLife and NeuroLeap share insights into new technologies and emerging business models.
Special Focus on Healthtech Innovation
Another significant segment focused on the role of IP and innovation in healthtech. With healthcare technology evolving rapidly, the session will highlight the transformative impact of AI, big data, and digital health on global and Indian healthcare sectors.
Speakers including Rajeev Banduni, CEO of Openl Partners, and Sanjeev Gupta, CEO of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, will provide perspectives on sustaining and enhancing India’s innovation model.
A Hub for Global Collaboration
Claude Smadja, Chairman of Smadja & Smadja, emphasized the importance of IGIC in promoting India’s role in the global innovation landscape. “India’s unique innovation model, supported by a dynamic startup ecosystem and robust digital infrastructure, positions it as a pivotal hub for technological advancements and investment opportunities,” said Smadja.
As IGIC 2024 progresses, participants can look forward to further engaging sessions, networking opportunities, and strategic discussions aimed at driving technological innovation and global collaboration.