Pune: RIDE 2026 (Research, Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship) at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune, brought together students, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and mentors, with Maharashtra State Innovation Society CEO Dr. Shrikant Patil calling on students to become problem-solvers and innovators.
“There are millions of Chaturs in the world but we are looking for Ranchos,” said Dr. Shrikant Patil, CEO, Maharashtra State Innovation Society, during the fifth edition of RIDE 2026.
He urged students to focus on solving real-world challenges and developing innovative solutions.
Speaking at the inauguration of RIDE 2026, Dr. Patil highlighted the growing opportunities within Maharashtra’s startup and innovation ecosystem.
He also spoke about the state’s initiatives aimed at strengthening incubation and supporting students and entrepreneurs across different regions.
“Maharashtra is actually a startup capital of India. Maharashtra has 38,000 registered startups and we have 30 incubators in place,” said Dr. Patil.
He further encouraged students to move beyond conventional approaches and identify problems that can be addressed through innovation.
“There are ample opportunities in the world. We just need to address the right problem statements and find out the Ranchos amongst us who can innovate through creative solutions.”
RIDE 2026 Focuses on Research, Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship
Conceptualised in 2022, RIDE 2026 has evolved from an intra-university initiative into a flagship platform encouraging students to move beyond conventional academic boundaries and explore research, innovation, design and entrepreneurship.
The fifth edition of RIDE 2026, themed “Insight to Impact (I2I)”, brought together students, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and mentors to explore different aspects of research, innovation, design and entrepreneurship.
The programme featured expert sessions, panel discussions, bootcamps, a Startup Expo and Investment Sessions. These activities provided students with opportunities to learn from practitioners, showcase their ideas and engage with the startup ecosystem.
The RIDE 2026 initiative also focused on creating opportunities for students to move ideas from insight towards practical application, while encouraging experimentation and entrepreneurial thinking.
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RIDE 2026 Marks Shift From Event to Movement
Speaking about the evolution of the initiative, Dr. Prasad D. Khandekar, Chief Academic Officer (CAO), said, “This year also marks an important milestone in the evolution of RIDE. We are moving from an event to a movement with pre and post event engagement.”
Vinod Shastri, Convenor, R.I.D.E., highlighted the initiative’s emphasis on experimentation and lasting impact. He also outlined its long-term vision of nurturing new ventures from the MIT-WPU ecosystem.
Through RIDE 2026, students were encouraged to explore their potential as researchers, innovators, designers and entrepreneurs while learning through practical engagement.
Datta Dange, Vice Chancellor, MIT-WPU, encouraged students to use the platform as an opportunity to learn through action and reflect on their own potential across research, innovation, design and entrepreneurship.
Hitesh Porwal also engaged with students from an entrepreneurial perspective, emphasising the importance of recognising problems as opportunities and developing structured pathways before entering the startup ecosystem.
RIDE 2026 Builds on RIDE 2025 Achievement
The fifth edition of RIDE 2026 builds on the achievement of R.I.D.E. 2025, when MIT-WPU facilitated the creation of 2,000 student-led ventures and earned a World Record for the highest number of ventures created through a university innovation initiative.
The previous edition provided a foundation for the continued development of the R.I.D.E. platform, with RIDE 2026 expanding its focus on research, innovation, design and entrepreneurship through expert interactions, startup-focused activities and opportunities for students to showcase their ideas.
The valedictory ceremony of RIDE 2026 featured Dilip Chenoy, Chairman, Bharat Web3 Association and Former Secretary General, FICCI; Dr. Deeksha Malik, VP & Head, AI Centre of Excellence, Jio-bp; and Poonam Kochhar, Chairperson, FICCI FLO Pune.
The speakers shared perspectives on the future of work, AI-led innovation and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
The participation of industry leaders, entrepreneurs and mentors further provided students attending RIDE 2026 with opportunities to engage with perspectives from the startup, technology and business ecosystem.
Through RIDE 2026, MIT-WPU reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing an innovation ecosystem that enables students to transform insights into action and develop solutions with meaningful societal impact.
The fifth edition of R.I.D.E. thus continued its focus on encouraging students to explore research, innovation, design and entrepreneurship while connecting them with practitioners and the broader startup ecosystem.
