i-Hub Gujarat and GEC Surat Host INNOVENT 2026 to Showcase Student Startup Innovation
i-Hub Gujarat, in collaboration with the SSIP Cell of Dr. S. & S. S. Ghandhy Government Engineering College (Degree), Surat, organised 𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 - 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, on 19th September 2026 in Surat.
The event brought together 𝟏𝟕 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 from across Gujarat, who showcased and pitched their products, technologies, business ideas and solutions across various sectors. More than 275 students attended the event and gained exposure to startups and the innovation ecosystem.
Smit Lodha (𝐈𝐀𝐒), 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫, 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, graced the inaugural ceremony, while (𝐈𝐀𝐒), 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫, 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭, attended the closing ceremony and interacted with the participating innovators at their stalls.
The pitching sessions were evaluated by an expert jury, providing startups an opportunity to present their ideas, receive expert inputs, and engage with potential investors. Participation certificates were also presented to the participating startup innovators.
Dr. Darshan J. Mehta (Ph.D), 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐲 (𝐎𝐒𝐃), 𝐢-𝐇𝐮𝐛 𝐆𝐮𝐣𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭, 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫, briefed participants on the Government of Gujarat’s Srujan Seed Support and the support available to early-stage innovators and startups to take ideas from concept to prototype and enterprise.
INNOVENT - 2026 provided a platform for students, innovators and startups to connect with experts, industry representatives and the wider startup ecosystem, while exploring opportunities for mentoring, investment and further development.
