The transition of Rajasthan from a land of historic heritage to a global hub for software and silicon reached a defining moment with the New Delhi curtain-raiser for the Rajasthan DigiFest × TiE Global Summit (TGS) 2026. Scheduled for January 4–6, 2026, in Jaipur, this event marks a historic shift in India’s innovation strategy: it is the first time the world’s largest entrepreneurship gathering will be hosted in a non-metro city.
This landmark partnership between the Government of Rajasthan and TiE Global aims to spotlight “Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the AI Age.” The summit is built on the critical pillars of Technology, Growth, and Sustainability, ensuring that as we innovate, we do so with inclusion and impact.
A High-Level Vision for “Viksit Bharat”
The New Delhi launch saw an impressive gathering of policy and industry veterans. Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, Minister for Industries and IT, Government of Rajasthan, emphasized the state’s bold transition: “We aim to move from soil and sand to silicon and software.” He highlighted that Rajasthan’s new policies are perfectly synchronized with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat, positioning the state as a prime destination for global business and innovation.
Dr. Ravi Kumar Surpur, Secretary and Commissioner of IT&C, echoed this sentiment, noting that the summit is a strategic milestone in building a digitally empowered Rajasthan. By focusing on digital transformation today, the state is creating abundant opportunities for a future-ready workforce.
What to Expect: 10,000 Entrepreneurs, 500+ Investors
The Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC) will become the epicenter of the global startup movement this January. The scale of the event is unprecedented for the region:
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Global Participation: Over 10,000 entrepreneurs and 100+ speakers from 30+ countries.
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Capital Flux: 500+ investors will engage in “Speed Meets” and pitch sessions.
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Flagship Competitions: The summit will host the global finals for TiE University and TiE Women, alongside the TGS 100, which identifies India’s most investable startups.
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Frontier Sectors: Thematic tracks will dive deep into AI/ML, FinTech, AgriTech, AR/VR, PropTech, and Higher Education.
Beyond business, the summit will feature a Gaming Hackathon and a Film Festival, celebrating the intersection of technology and creative arts.
iStart Rajasthan: The Engine of Growth
The backbone of this transformation is iStart Rajasthan, the state’s flagship startup initiative. Often cited as a national role model, iStart has registered over 6,500 startups and established the Bhamashah Techno Hub—India’s largest incubator.
The initiative doesn’t just provide seed funding; it offers a comprehensive ecosystem of mentorship, policy support, and market access. Hosting TGS 2026 in Jaipur is a direct result of this progressive vision, connecting local innovators with global mentors and technology leaders.
TiE Global: A Legacy of Mentorship
Founded in Silicon Valley in 1992, TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) has grown into the world’s largest non-profit dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship. With 63 chapters in 16 countries, TiE brings a massive network of 15,000 members to Jaipur. Following successful summits in major metros like Dubai, Singapore, and Bangalore, the choice of Jaipur underscores the rising influence of India’s Tier-2 cities in the global tech hierarchy.
As convener Mahavir Pratap Sharma noted, the summit is designed to be a platform where innovation is nurtured and talent is celebrated. For three days in January, Jaipur will not just be the “Pink City” of history, but the “Silicon City” of India’s future.
