Bangalore, May 13, 2025 — In a significant step towards nurturing innovation in Karnataka’s academic ecosystem, a one-day workshop on “Patent Proficiency for Academic Innovators” was conducted under the New Age Innovation Network (NAIN) program at IIIT-Bangalore. The session was designed to equip faculty, students, and budding innovators with the skills and knowledge essential for transforming research into protected intellectual property.
The workshop was graced by eminent dignitaries including Mr. Nithin Chakki, KAS, General Manager, KITS, Government of Karnataka, Cmd. Sridhar, Registrar, IIIT-B, Mr. Prakash Balekundri, CEO, Unique Patent Solutions and Dr. Lakshmi Jagannathan, CEO of IIIT-B Innovation Centre, who shared their insights on the importance of institutional support for innovation and the strategic role of intellectual property rights (IPR) in academic research.
The event focused on strengthening the capabilities of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) within institutions, emphasizing the journey from ideation to patent filing. Topics such as identifying patentable research, screening innovations, and enhancing patentability were covered in depth, supported by real-world examples and expert-led discussions.
IIIT-B as a NAIN 2.0 anchor institute facilitated workshop to its associated NHIs centres namely Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Bapuji Institute of Engineering & Technology, Davangere, Malnad College of Engineering, Mangalore Institute of Technology and Engineering, and St. Philomena College, Puttur. Their active involvement reflected the growing commitment among Tier-2 city institutions to build strong IPR ecosystems.
Organized by the IIIT-B Innovation Centre in collaboration with Startup Karnataka and the Department of IT, BT, Government of Karnataka, the workshop marks another important milestone in Karnataka’s mission to drive innovation through academic and research excellence.
As highlighted by Dr. Lakshmi Jagannathan, “We are witnessing a surge in breakthrough ideas from students and faculty across Karnataka. It is essential to guide these innovators in protecting their work, commercializing it, and contributing meaningfully to the economy.”
Such initiatives reaffirm the state’s commitment to fostering a knowledge-driven startup culture and ensuring that groundbreaking ideas don’t remain confined to the lab, but evolve into scalable, real-world solutions.
About IIIT-B Innovation Centre
The IIIT-B Innovation Center, based at the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B), is a dynamic hub for fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and cutting-edge research dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and industry, the center serves as a vital platform for transforming academic insights into practical, real-world solutions.
As a not-for-profit Section 8 company hosted by IIIT-Bangalore, the Innovation Center offers state-of-the-art incubation facilities, advanced labs, and access to expert mentorship. It supports projects across various domains, including artificial intelligence, data science, Internet of Things (IoT), and digital health. Having supported over 100 startups, the center plays a pivotal role in nurturing emerging talent and driving technological advancements, positioning itself as a key enabler of innovation and collaboration in India’s tech ecosystem.
