Kolkata, September 6, 2026: The sixth edition of the Research, Industry, Start-up & Entrepreneurship (RISE) Conclave 2026 commenced today at the CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), Salt Lake Campus, Kolkata, bringing together scientists, entrepreneurs, startups, industry leaders, investors, academicians and policymakers from across the country under one platform. The two-day conclave, being held on September 6–7, aims to strengthen India's innovation ecosystem by fostering closer collaboration between scientific research, industry and entrepreneurship.

The conclave was inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Vice-President of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). In his inaugural address, he highlighted the crucial role of scientific innovation, indigenous technologies and deep-tech entrepreneurship in realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He emphasized that research institutions must work closely with industries and startups to accelerate the commercialization of laboratory innovations and generate employment through technology-led growth.

RISE Conclave 2026 is jointly organized by CSIR-IICB (Kolkata), CSIR-CGCRI (Kolkata), CSIR-CMERI (Durgapur) and CSIR-IMMT (Bhubaneswar). This year's conclave is centered on the theme "Driving Innovation & Entrepreneurship for Viksit Bharat 2047." A distinctive feature of the event is the 4M framework – Minerals, Medicine, Materials and Machines – showcasing the complementary strengths of the four premier CSIR laboratories and their contributions to national technological advancement.

The inaugural session was attended by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR; Prof. Vibha Tandon, Director, CSIR-IICB; Prof. Bikramjit Basu, Director, CSIR-CGCRI; Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director, CSIR-IMMT; Dr. Naresh Chandra Murmu, Director, CSIR-CMERI; senior government officials, distinguished scientists and representatives from academia and industry.

More than 150 startups, along with representatives from MSMEs, industries, incubators, venture capital firms and research institutions, are participating in the conclave. The event has attracted over 1,000 registrations, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for innovation-driven entrepreneurship in India. The organizers noted that the conclave provides an ideal platform for startups to connect with investors, technology developers, industry leaders and policymakers while facilitating technology transfer and commercialization.

The two-day programme features a wide range of activities, including a Startup Expo & Technology Exhibition, Industry Meet, Technology Transfer and Licensing Sessions, Investor Pitching, B2B Networking, Technical Sessions, Panel Discussions, and Industry–Academia Dialogues. Experts are deliberating on emerging areas such as affordable healthcare, advanced materials, manufacturing technologies, critical minerals, decarbonization, science communication and science-driven startups. Indigenous technologies developed by CSIR laboratories with significant industrial and societal impact are also being showcased.

The organizers stated that RISE Conclave 2026 seeks to bridge the long-standing gap between laboratories and the marketplace by creating stronger partnerships among scientists, entrepreneurs, industries and investors. By accelerating the translation of research into commercially viable products and technologies, the conclave aims to contribute significantly to India's technology-led economic growth and the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.