R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, FEB 12
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, will inaugurate the Research, Industry, Start-up and Entrepreneurship (RISE) Conclave 2026 on February 14, 2026, at the Chennai Trade Centre, setting the tone for a renewed push to align research excellence with enterprise acceleration.
RISE Conclave 2026, where innovation meets opportunity.
Join us to connect Research, Industry & Startups and turn promising ideas into real-world solutions for Viksit Bharat.
📍 Chennai Trade Centre
📅 14–15 February 2026
Be there. Collaborate. Scale. Succeed.@DrJitendraSingh… pic.twitter.com/xb3Z6RfqTy— CSIR, India (@CSIR_IND) February 12, 2026
The two-day conclave (February 14–15), organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) through its Tamil Nadu-based laboratories — CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC), Chennai; CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Chennai; and CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), Karaikudi — aims to position Chennai as a national nerve centre for innovation-driven growth.
- Union Minister to unveil national innovation roadmap rooted in “Whole-of-Government for Whole-of-Society” vision
- 100+ start-ups, MSMEs to showcase CSIR, DST, DBT & MoES-backed technologies
- CSIR to exchange Umbrella MoUs with academic institutions, strengthening incubation ecosystems
- Two-day conclave at Chennai Trade Centre to accelerate lab-to-market transformation
- Tamil Nadu emerges as a dynamic innovation hub powered by CSIR-SERC, CLRI & CECRI
The event reflects Dr. Jitendra Singh’s larger innovation doctrine of a “Whole-of-Government for Whole-of-Society” framework, fostering deeper collaboration among research institutions, industry, academia, start-ups and youth innovators.
Press Meet Sets the Stage
In the run-up to the conclave, a joint press conference was held at the CSIR-CLRI Campus, Chennai, where directors of the three CSIR laboratories outlined the scope, structure and expected impact of RISE 2026.
Addressing the media, Dr. N. Anandavalli, Director, CSIR-SERC and Coordinating Director, CSIR Madras Complex, stated: “The RISE Conclave aims to create a common platform for start-ups, MSMEs, industry leaders, academic and research institutions, universities, colleges, schools, and the public to promote innovation-led growth.”
She further informed that Umbrella Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be exchanged between CSIR and academic institutions along with their incubation centres during the conclave to strengthen structured collaboration.
100+ Exhibitors, Start-up–Industry Synergy
Dr. P. Thanikaivelan, Director, CSIR-CLRI, said: “More than 100 exhibitors, predominantly start-ups and MSMEs, are expected to participate. Many of them are beneficiaries of technologies and services developed by CSIR and other scientific departments such as DST, DBT and MoES.”
He added that the programme will feature dedicated start-up–industry interaction sessions, expert lectures, and entrepreneurship development initiatives, aimed at translating research breakthroughs into commercially viable enterprises.
Strengthening Innovation-to-Market Pathways
Highlighting the conclave’s structural intent, Dr. K. Ramesha, Director, CSIR-CECRI, said:
“Under this collaborative model, CSIR will act as a technology provider, while universities will facilitate incubation and entrepreneurial mentoring, thereby strengthening innovation-to-market pathways.”
The proposed engagement with university incubation ecosystems is expected to streamline technology transfer and nurture job-oriented entrepreneurship.
Minister to Outline Innovation Roadmap
Dr. K. J. Sreeram, Scientist-H/Outstanding, CSIR, informed: “Dr. Jitendra Singh will grace the inaugural session as Chief Guest and lay out the broader roadmap for strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem through strategic partnerships and job-oriented incubation initiatives.”
The Conclave is designed to catalyse partnerships, showcase cutting-edge CSIR-developed technologies and reinforce Tamil Nadu’s vibrant innovation landscape — strengthened by sustained support from the Ministry of Science & Technology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The valedictory function will feature L. Murugan, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Information & Broadcasting, as Chief Guest.
Organisers have extended an open invitation to the start-up community, industry leaders, academia, students, and media representatives to participate in RISE Conclave 2026 and contribute to innovation-led economic growth and societal transformation.
As India sharpens its ambition to become a global innovation leader, RISE 2026 is poised to serve as a powerful national platform — bridging laboratories, lecture halls and launchpads in one integrated ecosystem.
