Pune, January 17, 2026: COEP Technological University today hosts the eighth edition of the Pune Startup Fest (PSF), reaffirming its stature as one of India’s most prominent student-driven platforms for entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup engagement. With Vivicta as the Title Sponsor and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) as the Power Sponsor, Pune Startup Fest 2026 builds on a strong legacy of nurturing early-stage ventures while strengthening Pune’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem.
Pitcher’s Valley and Lightning Pitch Take Centre Stage
A key highlight of the two-day festival is Pitcher’s Valley, a structured pitching forum that enables startups to present their business ideas directly to seasoned investors and mentors. This is complemented by Lightning Pitch, a fast-paced format designed to test founders on clarity, market understanding, and concise communication. These sessions will be evaluated by a distinguished investor panel comprising Mr. Sanjay Mehta, Founder and Partner at 100X.VC; Mr. Mohit Gulati, CIO and Managing Partner at ITI Growth Opportunities Fund; Mr. Anil Joshi, Managing Partner at Unicorn India Ventures; and Mr. Sushant Mitra, Founder and CEO of LeadInvest.
Inauguration and Industry Collaboration
The fest will be formally inaugurated by Dr. Parul Patel, Former Group Director at ISRO, and Mr. Vyankatesh Kulkarni, Executive Director at Mercedes-Benz, highlighting the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and the startup ecosystem.
Strategic Partnerships and CXO Summit
Further enhancing its strategic focus, SRGF joins Pune Startup Fest 2026 as the Defence Strategic Technologies Partner, underscoring the fest’s emphasis on innovation in critical and emerging technology domains. The event also features a CXO Summit, where senior industry leaders will deliberate on building, scaling, and future-proofing enterprises in an increasingly AI-driven global economy.
Mentorship and Entrepreneurial Impact
Additionally, Mr. Chirag Tanna, Founder and Director of INK IDEÉ, will mentor entrepreneurs on intellectual property strategy and navigating complex legal frameworks.
As it enters its eighth edition, Pune Startup Fest continues to stand as a testament to student initiative, institutional vision, and entrepreneurial excellence, playing a significant role in shaping India’s innovation and startup landscape.
