India
Indian-American Dr. Tausif Malik Launches Pune Ideas Festival, India’s First Dedicated Ideas Festival: Indian-American entrepreneur, global media professional, and ecosystem builder Dr. Tausif Malik has announced the launch of the Pune Ideas Festival (PIF), India’s first dedicated Ideas Festival, with an ambitious vision of positioning Pune as one of the world’s leading hubs for innovation, entrepreneurship, education, technology, sustainability, healthcare, public policy, and global collaboration.
Scheduled to take place over three days in February 2027, the inaugural festival aims to bring together between 3,000 and 5,000 delegates, including global thought leaders, startup founders, investors, academics, researchers, policymakers, business executives, media professionals, creators, and changemakers from India and around the world.
The festival seeks to create a world-class platform where ideas evolve into collaborations, innovations become enterprises, and conversations inspire solutions to global challenges.
Why Pune, Why Now?
The launch comes at a time when India is emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing innovation economies, powered by its youthful population, thriving startup ecosystem, and rapid technological advancement.
According to Dr. Malik, Pune is uniquely positioned to host such an initiative because of its long-standing reputation as India’s education capital and its strengths in higher education, manufacturing, information technology, research, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.
“The world’s greatest breakthroughs begin with ideas. Every innovation, startup, scientific discovery, social movement, and transformative change started as an idea,” said Dr. Tausif Malik, Founder of Pune Ideas Festival and Founder Director of TMA Worldwide.
“Pune Ideas Festival is designed to bring together bold thinkers and visionary leaders who are shaping the future. Our goal is to create a platform where ideas become action, collaborations become opportunities, and innovation creates impact. Pune has long been known as a city of education, research, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Through Pune Ideas Festival, we want to showcase Pune and India to the world while inspiring the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers. We believe one idea can change a life, and one inspired generation can change the future.“
A Platform for India’s Youngest Generation
With India home to one of the world’s largest youth populations, the festival places students and young innovators at the heart of its mission.
Organizers believe India’s demographic advantage presents a unique opportunity to shape the future of global innovation by connecting students directly with entrepreneurs, investors, educators, scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders.
The festival will encourage student participation through internships, innovation showcases, startup competitions, leadership programs, volunteering opportunities, and direct interaction with international speakers.
Twelve Flagship Tracks
The inaugural Pune Ideas Festival will feature twelve multidisciplinary tracks addressing some of the world’s most pressing opportunities and challenges:
- Education & Future Learning
- Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies
- Automotive & Future Mobility
- Pharma, Healthcare & Biotechnology
- Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital
- Manufacturing & Industry 4.0
- Sustainability & Climate Action
- Smart Cities & Urban Innovation
- Public Policy & Governance
- Media, Culture & Creative Economy
- Women Leaders Forum
- Global India & Diaspora Summit
The three-day event will include keynote addresses, fireside conversations, panel discussions, innovation exhibitions, startup showcases, investor forums, networking sessions, leadership roundtables, cultural experiences, and collaborations between academia and industry.
Organizing Committee Envisions Global Impact
Members of the organizing committee believe the festival has the potential to become one of India’s premier intellectual and innovation gatherings.
Satish Nair, Organizing Committee Member, said:
“Pune possesses a unique combination of world-class educational institutions, thriving startups, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and a strong culture of innovation. Pune Ideas Festival will create a platform where these strengths can converge and inspire meaningful conversations, collaborations, and opportunities.”
Yousuf Khan, Organizing Committee Member, added:
“Innovation happens when diverse perspectives come together. Pune Ideas Festival will connect entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers, corporate leaders, and students to explore solutions that address real-world challenges and create lasting impact.”
Honorary Advisory Board
The Pune Ideas Festival has also announced its expanding Honorary Advisory Board, bringing together distinguished leaders from healthcare, higher education, entrepreneurship, innovation, media, diplomacy, culinary arts, and the global startup ecosystem.
The current Honorary Advisory Board includes:
- Dr. Shabana Parvez – Founder & Medical Director, Arlington Integrative Medical Associates (AIMA) & Babies4.us
- Prof. Ujjwal K. Chowdhury – Pro Vice Chancellor, Techno India University
- Major Sunil Shetty, SM (Retd.) – Founder, My Startup TV
- Prof. Dr. Sudhir Wamanrao Gavhane – Former Vice-Chancellor, MGM University and Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University
- Dr. Yogendra (Yogi) Puranik – Author, Public Speaker, India-Japan Relations Advocate, Japan’s First Indian-Origin MLA and former Civil Services Officer
- Dr. Prakash Sharma – Global Startup Ecosystem Ambassador
- Tirlok Malik – Emmy-nominated Filmmaker, Actor and Entrepreneur
- Eddna Samuel – Entrepreneur, Founder, Author and Chef
- Karen Anand – Award-winning Celebrity Chef, Author, Television Host and Gourmet Entrepreneur
- Hemant Brahmbhatt – Chicago-based Publisher, Media Entrepreneur and International Event Promoter
Dr. Malik said the advisory board will continue to expand with leaders from across India and the world.
“Our vision is to build one of the most diverse and influential advisory boards in India. We are engaging distinguished leaders from academia, business, healthcare, technology, venture capital, public policy, sustainability, media, and international relations who share our commitment to innovation, education, entrepreneurship, and societal progress.”
Future advisors are expected to represent sectors including Artificial Intelligence, Venture Capital, Biotechnology, Climate Action, Smart Cities, Higher Education, Manufacturing, Creative Industries, Women Leadership, Global Trade, International Relations, and Social Impact.
Showcasing India to the World
Beyond serving as a conference, Pune Ideas Festival aims to showcase India’s innovation ecosystem, entrepreneurial spirit, research capabilities, manufacturing strength, cultural heritage, and global leadership.
By bringing together international speakers, investors, policymakers, universities, corporations, startups, media organizations, and civil society, the festival seeks to strengthen India’s position as a leading global knowledge and innovation powerhouse.
Organizers believe the event will also generate new partnerships, investment opportunities, research collaborations, and international exchanges that extend well beyond the three-day festival.
A Vision for the Future
With strong support from academia, entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, and policymakers, Pune Ideas Festival aspires to become an annual international gathering where bold ideas spark innovation, meaningful collaborations create opportunities, and future leaders are inspired to solve the challenges of tomorrow.
As Pune prepares to host India’s first dedicated Ideas Festival, organizers hope the event will establish the city not only as an educational and industrial hub but also as one of Asia’s leading destinations for thought leadership, innovation, and global dialogue.
