In a landmark event set to redefine global innovation, the Global Pan-IIT Conference will convene thousands of IIT alumni, entrepreneurs, and executives in Long Beach, California, from April 22-25, 2026. Under the theme ‘Innovate, Ignite and Thrive,’ this four-day gathering promises to spotlight the outsized influence of Indian-origin technologists in shaping innovation, capital flows, and public life across India and the United States.
Shashi Tripathi, venture capitalist and chairperson of the 2026 event, emphasized the conference’s role in uniting the world’s sharpest minds amid rapid shifts in technology, geopolitics, and economic power. Over 2,500 attendees from around the globe are expected, focusing on critical themes like AI, healthcare, sustainability, venture capital, private equity, and exit strategies.
The agenda features six grand keynotes, panels, fireside chats, and workshops, including a standout session led by NVIDIA on go-to-market strategies and startup fundraising. Tripathi told IANS exclusively that the event is deliberately inclusive: ‘Anyone can join—no IIT degree or Indian roots required.’ This openness underscores how IIT alumni have seamlessly integrated into the U.S. economy while staying deeply connected to India.
‘Indian-Americans make up about 2% of the U.S. population but contribute 8% to the economy—think about that ratio,’ Tripathi noted. From Silicon Valley’s engineering backbone to leadership in healthcare, startups, and venture capital, this community is expanding its footprint beyond tech. Tripathi dismissed brain drain concerns, arguing that migrants like those in the U.S. remain vital to India’s ecosystem through investments and ecosystem-building, not just remittances.
A major highlight will be discussions on artificial intelligence, which Tripathi calls ‘the biggest revolution ever,’ more accessible than the internet’s arrival. ‘You don’t need to learn AI; you just open your phone and start talking,’ he said. While job displacement fears linger, he warned that those ignoring AI risk obsolescence, predicting net job creation as in past tech waves.
Tripathi envisions a natural India-U.S. partnership in AI: America’s innovation edge paired with India’s vast digital infrastructure and scale. ‘If these two collaborate, they can build the most powerful AI powerhouse for the future,’ he asserted. This conference isn’t just a meeting—it’s a catalyst for stronger bilateral ties and global progress.