17th ISBA Conference Concludes at IIT Guwahati
First-Ever Edition in Northeast India
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati recently hosted the 17th Indian STEPs & Business Incubators Association Conference (ISBACON 2025) from December 10 to December 12, marking a significant milestone as the first time this prestigious event was held in Northeast India. The conference was organized under the theme “Enabling the Enablers for a Viksit Bharat,” which aims to align regional innovation efforts with the broader national startup mission.
Inaugural Ceremony
The inaugural ceremony featured notable guests, including Dr. Ashok Puranik, Director of AIIMS Guwahati, who served as the Chief Guest, and Rajesh Thakur, ACS and Administrator of Guwahati Biotech Park, who was the Guest of Honor. The Director of IIT Guwahati, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, also addressed the participants, emphasizing the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
ISBA President Prasad Menon highlighted the significance of hosting the conference in Northeast India, celebrating the milestone of ISBA completing 20 years of promoting business incubation and innovation across the country.
Event Overview
Over the three-day event, ISBACON 2025 attracted more than 200 participants and over 300 delegates from various sectors, including industry and academia. This gathering positioned the conference as India’s largest annual event for the startup incubation ecosystem. The conference featured a total of 20 sessions, including panel discussions, masterclasses, and keynote addresses, all aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation.
Key Sessions and Discussions
Key panels at the conference explored a variety of topics, including:
- ISBA@20: Reflecting on two decades of incubation excellence
- Strengthening global linkages
- Building growth partnerships
- Developing incubation ecosystems in Tier II and III cities
- India’s multi-sectoral innovation approach
One of the highlights was a roundtable discussion on “Vision for Deep Tech Innovation and Incubation in the times of Viksit Bharat.” This session provided strategic insights on policy needs, infrastructure priorities, and collaborative pathways necessary for advancing deep-tech innovation.
Speakers and Insights
A total of 37 speakers participated in the conference, including members of the ISBA Advisory Board. They shared valuable perspectives on various topics such as:
- Incubation excellence
- Emerging technologies
- Funding mechanisms
- Social impact
- Strategies for building resilient, future-ready institutions
Dr. Swapnil Sinha, CEO of IIT Guwahati BioNEST, expressed confidence that hosting ISBACON 2025 would serve as a launchpad for enablers across Northeast India, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for startups and innovation.
Conclusion
The successful conclusion of the 17th ISBA Conference at IIT Guwahati marks a pivotal moment for the startup ecosystem in Northeast India. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, the conference has laid the groundwork for future collaborations and innovations that will contribute to the national startup mission and the region’s economic development.
Note: The information provided in this article is based on the events and discussions held during the ISBACON 2025 conference.
