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IGNITE 2026 — Global Innovation Summit, Dubai: Building tomorrow,Together.

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About IGNITE

Where Ideas Become Opportunities.

A global platform that bridges industries, cultures, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. IGNITE 2026 is where ideas become opportunities, partnerships are built, and the future of entrepreneurship is shaped.

950+
Founders & changemakers
60+
Active investors
300+
Startups incubated
₹10L+
Equity-free grants
40+
Speakers & panelists

A proven ecosystem of innovators, investors, and leaders driving real-world startup success.

Past Editions

Moments from IGNITE

IGNITE cohort group photo
Fintech panel
Keynote audience
Outdoor campus
IGNITE cohort group photo
Fintech panel
Keynote audience
Outdoor campus
Mentor circle
Award ceremony
Virtual keynote
Pitch finals
Mentor circle
Award ceremony
Virtual keynote
Pitch finals
Founders on stage
Campus networking
Startup workshop
Investor panel
Founders on stage
Campus networking
Startup workshop
Investor panel
IGNITE cohort group photo
Fintech panel
Keynote audience
Outdoor campus
Mentor circle
Award ceremony
Virtual keynote
Pitch finals
Founders on stage
Campus networking
Startup workshop
Investor panel
IGNITE cohort group photo
Fintech panel
Keynote audience
Outdoor campus
Mentor circle
Award ceremony
Virtual keynote
Pitch finals
Founders on stage
Campus networking
Startup workshop
Investor panel
IGNITE 2026

The Global Summit in Dubai.

Three days of unparalleled opportunity. A carefully curated gathering of 100+ pre-vetted innovators, industry leaders, investors, and founders from across the globe, all converging in Dubai to forge partnerships and launch the next wave of startups.

Dubai
Host city, UAE
2026
Edition
3 Days
Of building
Global
Delegate cohort
BITS Pilani Dubai Campus — host of IGNITE 2026
Event Programme

What happens at IGNITE.

From your first application to Demo Day in Dubai — the full journey.

0120 August

Applications Open

Startups submit their applications — share your vision, traction, and the problem you're solving.

Open CallOnline
0210 September

Applications Close

Last chance to submit. The screening panel reviews every entry — make yours count.

Deadline
0311 – 15 September

Online Screening Round 1

Pitch decks and elevator pitches reviewed and scored by our panel — the first cut to find the top talent.

Pitch DecksElevator Pitches
0420 September onwards

Online Screening Round 2

Shortlisted teams pitch live to expert judges — the final filter to select the Top 20 Finalists.

Online PitchesExpert Judges
05

Finalists Announced

29 September

The Top 20 teams are personally selected and invited to Dubai — your place on the IGNITE stage is confirmed.

MilestoneTop 20
Dubai, UAE
06Day 1

Mixer Meet

Human Bingo — mingle to find shared traits and experiences. First to complete the card wins, everyone leaves with real connections.

NetworkingDay 1
07Day 2

Panel Discussion

Investors, industry leaders, and serial entrepreneurs on themes shaping the next generation of global startups.

PanelDay 2
08Day 3

AI Integration Sprint

Work alongside AI experts to ship one meaningful AI-powered feature into your product in a single focused sprint.

AIDay 3
09Day 4

Demo Day

Top 20 finalists pitch live to a panel of investors and industry leaders — the culmination of the IGNITE journey.

PitchingDay 4

And many more — fireside chats, investor dinners, startup showcases, and city tours across Dubai.

Past sponsors & partners

Backed by Industry Leaders & Global Partners

Explore All Partners & Sponsors →
Past Speakers & Panelists

Voices That Inspire.

Founders, investors, and industry leaders who have shaped the entrepreneurial landscape.

Shivakumar Ganesan - Co-Founder & CEO at Exotel

Shivakumar Ganesan

Co-Founder & CEO, Exotel

Bharath Shankar Subramanian - Partner at Accel

Bharath Shankar Subramanian

Partner, Accel

Bharti G Mann - Vice President at Capgemini

Bharti G Mann

Vice President, Capgemini

Shawrya Mehrotra - Founder at Metvy

Shawrya Mehrotra

Founder, Metvy

Darika Jain - Founder at ImpactD

Darika Jain

Founder, ImpactD

Samar Singla - Founder at JungleWorks

Samar Singla

Founder, JungleWorks

Awais Ahmed - Cofounder & CEO at Pixxel

Awais Ahmed

Cofounder & CEO, Pixxel

Vinayak Aggarwal - Cofounder & CEO at BiteSpeed

Vinayak Aggarwal

Cofounder & CEO, BiteSpeed

Sankar Bora - Cofounder at Myntra

Sankar Bora

Cofounder, Myntra

Sumedh Battewar - Cofounder & CBO at eMotorad

Sumedh Battewar

Cofounder & CBO, eMotorad

Abhishek Shah - Cofounder at D2C Insider

Abhishek Shah

Cofounder, D2C Insider

Bhuvan Gupta - Cofounder & CTO at ofBusiness

Bhuvan Gupta

Cofounder & CTO, ofBusiness

Amit Singhal - Partner at Fluid Ventures

Amit Singhal

Partner, Fluid Ventures

Rohit Kamath - Cofounder at Yaas

Rohit Kamath

Cofounder, Yaas

Sowmay Jain - Cofounder at Bhindi AI

Sowmay Jain

Cofounder, Bhindi AI

Ashish Kulkarni - Director of AI at Krutrim

Ashish Kulkarni

Director of AI, Krutrim

Samit Jain - Managing Director at Pluss

Samit Jain

Managing Director, Pluss

Harshit Agarwal - Head of Marketing at Sunstone

Harshit Agarwal

Head of Marketing, Sunstone

Pankaj Singh - Co-Founder at SlydS

Pankaj Singh

Co-Founder, SlydS

Deepak Kumar - CEO at SlydS

Deepak Kumar

CEO, SlydS

Siddharth Srigeri - Partner at Endurance Capital

Siddharth Srigeri

Partner, Endurance Capital

Aneesh Pai - Cofounder at Done Deal

Aneesh Pai

Cofounder, Done Deal

Sushil Sharma - Cofounder & CEO at Marwari Catalysts

Sushil Sharma

Cofounder & CEO, Marwari Catalysts

Rohit Goyal - Managing Partner at Windrose Capital

Rohit Goyal

Managing Partner, Windrose Capital

Rakesh Verma - Cofounder at MapmyIndia

Rakesh Verma

Cofounder, MapmyIndia

Rahul Seth - VC Investor at Antler

Rahul Seth

VC Investor, Antler

Saloni Shah - Founder at Kaunversations

Saloni Shah

Founder, Kaunversations

Shailendra Nath - Founder at Changengine

Shailendra Nath

Founder, Changengine

Kanishka Tyagi - Partner at LegumAmicus

Kanishka Tyagi

Partner, LegumAmicus

Sumit Vijaypure - Entrepreneur in Residence at Master's Union

Sumit Vijaypure

Entrepreneur in Residence, Master's Union

View All Speakers & Panelists →
Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know.

What is IGNITE 2026?

IGNITE 2026 is the flagship global innovation and entrepreneurship summit hosted in Dubai by PIEDS × BITS Pilani. It brings together 100+ pre-vetted founders, investors, and industry leaders for three days of networking, pitching, and collaboration.

How can I apply to IGNITE 2026?

You can apply to IGNITE 2026 through the official application form. Selected startups receive equity-free grants, investor access, and global exposure.

Where is IGNITE 2026 being held?

IGNITE 2026 is held at the BITS Pilani Dubai Campus in Dubai International Academic City, Dubai, UAE.

Who can attend IGNITE 2026?

IGNITE 2026 is open to startup founders, investors, venture capitalists, industry leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Applications are evaluated and curated for quality.

What is PIEDS?

PIEDS (Pilani Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Society) is a leading non-profit technology business incubator established in 2013 at BITS Pilani. It has powered 75+ startups and facilitated ₹5M+ in funding, and is the organiser behind IGNITE.

Are there equity-free grants at IGNITE 2026?

Yes. IGNITE 2026 offers equity-free grants of ₹10L+ to selected startups through PIEDS, with no equity or repayment required.

Have more questions?Get in touch with the IGNITE team →