MSME Tech Connect 2026 Kicks Off at IIT Hyderabad, Uniting 600+ Innovators and Industry for Scalable Growth
●MSME Tech Connect 2026 brings 600 + innovators, startups, MSMEs, investors and industry leaders onto one platform to accelerate the commercialisation of technologies.
●Technology Exhibition, Industry Matchmaking, Pitch Sessions and Licensing Clinics drive real-world adoption of research and startup innovations.
●The event resonates with IIT Hyderabad’s strong startup and entrepreneurship culture, supported by its Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and student innovation ecosystem.
HYDERABAD, FEBRUARY 19, 2026: MSME Tech Connect 2026 is inaugurated at IIT Hyderabad, marking the beginning of a three-day national platform aimed at accelerating technology commercialisation and strengthening India’s MSME ecosystem. Organised by Technology Transfer Office of IIT Hyderabad under the MSME-SCIP Programme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, the event brings together innovators, startups, MSMEs, corporates, investors, research institutions and policymakers to accelerate the journey from lab to market.
The event features an extensive Technology Exhibition and Demonstrations, Industry–Technology Matchmaking sessions, Investor & Industry Pitch Sessions, Technology Transfer & Licensing Clinics, and Expert Talks & Panel Discussions. The exhibition showcased cutting-edge technologies, patents, prototypes, and industry-ready innovations across various domains, including AgriTech, HealthTech, Biotech, AI & Data, Robotics, Electronics, Energy & CleanTech, Materials, Manufacturing, Mobility, Aerospace, Smart Cities, EdTech, Environment, FoodTech, and Pharmaceuticals. MSMEs and industry participants explored opportunities for pilot deployments, scaling partnerships and commercialisation collaborations.
The event also provided MSMEs with guidance on government schemes, including reimbursement support for IP acquisition costs. It facilitated direct engagement with technology providers, research labs, incubators, accelerators and funding agencies.
The event is graced by Shri C.S.S. Rao, IEDS Joint Director & Head of Office MSME-Development & Facilitation Office, Hyderabad, at the MSME Tech Connect at IITH, remarked: “I am delighted to be a part of the MSME Tech Connect and express my sincere appreciation to IIT Hyderabad and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for organising this impactful event. Innovation becomes truly meaningful only when it reaches the market. Research must move beyond publications and papers—innovations should translate into employment generation, strengthened MSMEs, and tangible contributions to GDP. The MSME Tech Connect serves as a vital platform to bridge the gap between academic innovation and industry needs. Let this event go beyond discussions and lead to real outcomes—commercialised technologies, empowered MSMEs, and scalable solutions. Let us collaborate, commercialise, and compete globally .”
A special Guest of Honor Dr. Louise Boisen, Counsellor – IPR, Royal Danish Embassy, focusing on intellectual property, global partnerships, and innovation ecosystems, expressed her delight at being part of the event and shared valuable insights on key focus areas for strengthening the IPR framework, the core processes of Technology Transfer Offices, and also demonstrated the Denmark’s entrepreneurship strategy.”
Highlighting the significance of hosting MSME Tech Connect at IIT Hyderabad, Prof. B. S. Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad, said: “At IIT Hyderabad, innovation is not confined to laboratories—it is translated into startups, technologies and societal impact. The IITH ecosystem nurtures entrepreneurship not only through incubation and technology transfer mechanisms but also by encouraging students to think beyond classrooms and build solutions for real-world challenges with the help of Bold & Unique Ideas Leading to Development (BUILD) program, Bold Hearted Aspirants RAising to Transform India (BHARATI) Initiative, Month of Innovation @ IITH – File Your Indian Patents at No Cost etc program of our Institute. MSME Tech Connect 2026 resonates deeply with our commitment to ‘Inventing and Innovating in Technology for Humanity’, by connecting research excellence with industry adoption and enabling scalable growth for MSMEs.”
Dr. Pradeep Yemula, Faculty In-Charge, Technology Transfer Facilitation Centre (TTFC) at IIT Hyderabad shared that, “IIT Hyderabad has built a strong innovation and startup ecosystem through its Technology Transfer Office (TTO), startup incubation initiatives, industry partnerships and student-led innovation culture. The institute actively promotes patenting, licensing and commercialization pathways, helping transform research outcomes into deployable technologies. Events like MSME Tech Connect further strengthen this bridge between academia and industry.”
As MSME Tech Connect 2026 unfolds over the next two days, the platform is expected to catalyse new partnerships, licensing agreements and pilot deployments—strengthening the bridge between academia, startups and India’s MSME sector.
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