Long Beach, February 9: The Global Pan-IIT Conference will take place in April in Long Beach, California. Thousands of alumni from the Indian Institutes of TECHNOLOGY (IIT), entrepreneurs, and executives are expected to gather for this four-day event. The conference will focus on how a small community of Indian-origin technologists is significantly shaping innovation, capital, and public life in both India and the United States.
Scheduled for April 22-25, 2026, the theme of the conference is “Innovate, Ignite, and Thrive.” More than 2,500 attendees from around the world are anticipated. Shashi Tripathi, chairperson of the 2026 meeting and a venture capitalist, stated that the event aims to bring together some of the brightest minds and industry leaders during a time of rapid changes in technology, geopolitics, and economic power.
The conference will revolve around themes that highlight both opportunities and concerns in the global economy, including AI, health, sustainability, investment, venture capital, private equity, and exit planning.
In an interview, Tripathi mentioned that there will be six grand keynotes, along with panels, fireside chats, and workshops. One session, led by NVIDIA, will focus on go-to-market strategies and fundraising for startups.
Despite its focus, Tripathi emphasized that the gathering is not exclusive. “Anyone can attend. You don’t need to be from IIT, nor do you need to be Indian. We are very inclusive,” he said.
This openness reflects how the Indian community, particularly IIT alumni, has integrated into the U.S. economy while maintaining close ties with India. “The Indian community makes up about 2% of the U.S. population, yet we contribute 8% to the economy. Think about that ratio,” he added.
For decades, IIT graduates have been recognized as engineering talent in Silicon Valley. Tripathi noted that this community has expanded into healthcare, startups, venture capital, and corporate leadership. “We are moving beyond tech. We are in healthcare. We are in business. We are in startups. We are contributing to the economy as part of this ecosystem,” he stated.
He addressed the long-standing concern that the best minds from India leave the country. However, he dismissed the notion that migration weakens India. “While we are great citizens abroad, like in the U.S., we remain deeply connected to the Indian ecosystem. This connection goes beyond remittances,” he explained.
Discussing investment options, Tripathi remarked, “That ecosystem is not just about sending money. It’s about creating startups. Fifty percent of my portfolio is in India because I understand the Indian ecosystem.”
The conference is expected to feature discussions on artificial intelligence, which Tripathi described as a turning point akin to the advent of the internet, perhaps even more significant. “I believe AI is the biggest revolution. Its accessibility sets it apart from previous technological changes. With AI, you don’t have to learn; you simply open your phone and start talking,” he said.
Tripathi stated, “While there is fear of job loss, those who doubt AI and don’t utilize it will lose their jobs.” He expressed confidence that new technologies will ultimately create more opportunities, as past revolutions have done.
In response to a question, Tripathi highlighted the natural partnership between India and the U.S. in artificial intelligence. The U.S. leads in investment and innovation, while India offers scale and diversity through its vast digital infrastructure.
India is heavily investing in digital platforms and AI initiatives, while the U.S. is home to many of the world’s largest tech companies. Therefore, collaboration between the two countries could be pivotal. “If these two collaborate, they could create a powerful AI board for the future,” he concluded.