Pune: The third edition of the National IP Yatra 2025-26 concluded in Pune on Friday, with policymakers and industry experts underscoring the growing importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in India’s innovation-led growth.
A key highlight of the two-day programme was the sharp rise in MSME IP filings, which have increased by nearly 40 per cent between 2021 and 2025, according to Abhay Daftardar, Development Facilitation Officer (DFO), Mumbai, Ministry of MSME.
The event was organised by the AIC-Pinnacle Entrepreneurship Forum with support from the Ministry of MSME and brought together stakeholders from government, industry, startups, academia, and the legal fraternity to promote IP awareness and adoption among micro, small and medium enterprises.
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MSME IP filings reflect rising innovation awareness
Addressing the concluding session, Daftardar highlighted the central role MSMEs play in India’s economic landscape, contributing nearly 30 per cent to GDP, about 45 per cent of manufacturing output, and accounting for 35-40 per cent of national exports.
He emphasised that MSME IP filings strengthens innovation, IP protection, and focused research and development which is critical for India’s long-term and sustainable growth.
He reiterated the Ministry of MSME’s commitment to increasing awareness around MSME IP filings, simplifying IP registration processes, and encouraging the commercialisation of intellectual property.
Daftardar also stressed the importance of optimal utilisation of government schemes, enhanced private investment in R&D, and stronger industry-academia collaboration to translate innovations into market-ready solutions.
MSME IP Filings: Industry experts share insights on IP strategy and protection
The inaugural and technical sessions featured insights from Sunil Dhadiwal, CEO, AIC Pinnacle Entrepreneurship Forum; Pratik Hendre, Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs, Mumbai; IPR expert Vedant Pujari; Manasi Padhye of McLeod Pharma; Mohamad Faisal of Tata Motors; and senior IP professional Priyanka Kulkarni.
Speakers addressed key aspects of patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, and industry-driven IP strategies relevant to MSMEs and startups.
Over the two days, the National IP Yatra hosted expert-led sessions, panel discussions, and workshops focused on IP’s role in nation-building, Developed India @2047, IP incentives for MSMEs, Make in India-aligned IP strategies, and global IP protection mechanisms.
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MSME IP Filings: Focus on Commercialisation of Intellectual Property
The concluding day featured workshops and discussions on IP commercialisation, with expert sessions led by Nilesh Pandit (TCS), Advocate Harshavardhan Melanta, Advocate Gowri Gokhale, and Chaitanya Adgainkar of Centro Hotels.
These sessions offered MSMEs and startups practical guidance on monetising intellectual property assets and leveraging IP for business growth.
Sunil Dhadiwal said the National IP Yatra is designed to sensitise MSMEs and startups about the importance of IP filing and equip them with actionable knowledge to protect and commercialise innovations, contributing to the development of an IP-driven economy.
AIC-Pinnacle, supported by the Atal Innovation Mission, operates an Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC) under the Ministry of MSME.
The Pune-based incubation centre provides free IPR filing and reimbursement support to MSMEs, has supported over 100 startups, facilitated more than 250 IP filings, and was recently recognised as Incubator of the Year 2025 by the Pune Management Association.
