18th edition of North India’s largest entrepreneurship festival opens with high-impact discussions, start-up showcases, and leadership insights.
Roorkee, Uttarakhand | February 6, 2026 Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee marked a vibrant beginning to the 18th edition of E-Summit 2026, North India’s largest entrepreneurship festival, with an engaging and high-impact inaugural day that brought together leaders from industry, academia, government institutions, and the startup ecosystem.
The Summit was formally inaugurated at the Convocation Hall in the presence of the Chief Guest, Mr. Vinod Bahety, CEO – Adani Cement, and Guest of Honour, Mr. Mohit Saxena, Co-Founder & CTO, InMobi, alongside senior faculty members, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and students. A traditional lamp-lighting ceremony symbolised the spirit of knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership that E-Summit represents.
Delivering the inaugural address, Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, highlighted the role of academic institutions in nation-building through innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Institutions like IIT Roorkee have a responsibility to not only impart technical knowledge but also to nurture entrepreneurial thinking that addresses national and global challenges. Platforms such as E-Summit play a critical role in shaping future leaders and job creators,” he said.
Sharing insights from his entrepreneurial journey, Mr. Mohit Saxena, an alumnus of IIT Roorkee, encouraged students to think ambitiously and build for scale.
“Entrepreneurship is about solving real problems with conviction and resilience. IIT Roorkee has consistently produced leaders who think boldly, and E-Summit is a powerful catalyst in that journey,” he remarked.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Mr. Vinod Bahety underscored the importance of collaboration between industry and academia in strengthening India’s startup ecosystem.
“Sustainable growth and innovation require strong industry-academia partnerships like the one between Adani Cements FutureX and IIT Roorkee. Platforms like E-Summit create meaningful dialogue and inspire young minds to build solutions that are impactful, scalable, and responsible,” he noted.
The event also witnessed the collaboration of academia and industry for entrepreneurship under the MoU exchange between IIT Roorkee and Adani Cement for the FutureX program.
The first day featured an insightful Fireside Chat, a Government Panel Discussion with representatives from SIDBI, NABARD, and HPCL, and thematic panels such as ‘Women Who Build’ and ‘Stories Behind the Spotlight’, showcasing diverse entrepreneurial journeys and leadership narratives.
Competitive events including Trading Heist and DataForge tested participants’ analytical and problem-solving skills, while the Startup Kiosk Showcase emerged as a major attraction with live demonstrations, founder interactions, and innovative product displays. Skill-oriented workshops conducted by Grant Thornton, Odoo, and FARADIC provided participants with hands-on industry exposure.
The day concluded with a vibrant illuminati and robotic dance performance by MJ5, setting an energetic tone for the days ahead.