New Delhi (04 November 2025): IILM University marked a landmark moment in India’s innovation journey with the launch of “Foundry One – Innovation Hub & Accelerator” at its Lodhi Road campus in New Delhi. The event brought together thought leaders, entrepreneurs, academicians, and policymakers to celebrate a bold new initiative that aims to shape India’s next generation of startups and innovation ecosystems.
Inspired by the founder-first ethos of Y Combinator and modeled on the scale and collaborative spirit of Hyderabad’s T-Hub, Foundry One envisions a 300,000 sq. ft. world-class innovation campus in Gurugram. The hub will serve as a crucible for high-impact startups in AI, deep tech, defence, healthcare, biotechnology, and robotics, bringing together founders, mentors, investors, and industry to co-create solutions that matter — both for India and the world.
The launch coincided with the 101st birth anniversary of Dr. Kulwant Rai, IILM’s founder, whose legacy of education, entrepreneurship, and social service continues to guide the institution’s vision.
Chief Guest: Dr. Deepak Bagla – Mission Director, AIM, NITI Aayog
The event’s chief guest, Dr. Deepak Bagla, Mission Director of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and former MD & CEO of Invest India, delivered a stirring address on India’s entrepreneurial future and innovation-driven growth.
Dr. Deepak Bagla’s remarks resonated deeply with the audience as he compared India’s current transformation to a “moment in time when all our dreams are just a heartbeat away.” Quoting Whitney Houston, he said: India today is racing with destiny — a moment when all our dreams are just a heartbeat away. The energy, innovation, and ambition we are witnessing across our youth are nothing short of extraordinary.
Reflecting on his 111 days as Mission Director, Dr. Deepak Bagla shared how the experience has been transformative: These 111 days have been a complete mind-changer. When you’re in the midst of this energy, seeing what’s happening across schools, towns, and innovation labs — it changes the way you think and the way you are.
He highlighted how the Atal Innovation Mission has grown into the world’s largest grassroots innovation program, transforming the educational and entrepreneurial landscape across India. We have over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs and are opening 50,000 more in the next three years. In Jammu & Kashmir alone, schools participating in hackathons have grown from 500 to 8,000 in just two years. This is a movement that’s happening organically — powered by the creativity of our young innovators.
Dr. Deepak Bagla underscored that innovation in India goes far beyond technology — it’s deeply rooted in social and inclusive growth. Innovation is not just about deep tech or sending a mission to Mars at one-tenth the cost. It’s also about empowering a coconut farmer, helping a women’s self-help group turn jackfruit seeds into a health export, or enabling a village entrepreneur to create change through simple, frugal ideas.
He emphasized the power of India’s 65 million MSMEs and 333 million self-employed individuals, calling them the backbone of the economy and the true agents of innovation. The real strength of India lies in its mindset — the mindset of getting the job done, regardless of the resources. That’s what defines our MSMEs, our youth, and our nation.
Dr. Deepak Bagla further added that India’s progress is being built on the twin pillars of inclusion and empowerment, driven by digitization, diversity, and gender parity. Digitization has made every citizen more included and empowered. For the first time in our history, India has more girls than boys in schools and colleges, and more women bank accounts than men — with higher average balances. These are the true pillars of our innovation story.
Concluding his address, Dr. Bagla beautifully encapsulated India’s journey in three words: Resolute. Resilient. Relentless. A resolute leader, a resilient nation, and both working with a relentless zeal — that is the spirit of New India. Foundry One is a testament to this very spirit.
Dr. Deepak Bagla was felicitated by Arti Rai for his inspiring contribution to India’s innovation ecosystem.
Other Key Speakers and Highlights
Prof. Rahul Singh, representing IILM University, delivered the welcome address, outlining Foundry One’s vision to nurture entrepreneurial talent and bridge academia with industry innovation.
Anjali Rai paid tribute to Dr. Kulwant Rai’s legacy, emphasizing how his vision of education, ethics, and enterprise continues to inspire IILM’s journey.
M. Srinivas Rao (MSR), former CEO of T-Hub, Hyderabad, lauded the Foundry One initiative, saying: Foundry One is about building ecosystems — where collaborators come together to create, innovate, and sustain. It is an essential platform that provides startups the foundation to grow.
Dr. Nikhil Agarwal, Managing Director, FITT – IIT Delhi, reflected on India’s changing startup landscape: There are two kinds of founders — those who plan endlessly and those who act first and refine later. Foundry One represents that action-driven spirit. India is no longer exporting talent; it’s retaining and nurturing it. Nearly 90% of students now choose to stay in India to build their dreams.
He announced that Foundry One aims to incubate 1,000 startups, each with potential to generate significant employment, and reaffirmed Gurugram’s emergence as a key innovation hub.
Jay Krishnan, Founding CEO of T-Hub, emphasized optimism and energy as the foundation of entrepreneurship, while Rajesh Agrawal, Founder of Fairgrowth and former Deputy Mayor of London, shared his inspiring journey from Indore to global leadership: Inspiration is not bought; it’s created. Dream big, work hard, and act — don’t wait for the perfect time. Foundry One is here to help you make it happen.
Event Highlights
Formal launch of Foundry One – Innovation Hub & Accelerator by Dr. Deepak Bagla.
Announcement of IILM’s 4-year entrepreneurial startup degree to nurture young founders.
Insightful discussions on India’s startup ecosystem, grassroots innovation, and academic-industry collaborations.
Focus sectors: AI, deep tech, defence, healthcare, biotechnology, and robotics.
The launch of Foundry One at IILM University marks a powerful step toward building a self-reliant and globally connected India — an India that is resolute in leadership, resilient in purpose, and relentless in action.
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