Jaipur Gears Up To Host Rajasthan DigiFest X TiE Global Summit 2026

Last year, when Inc42 and iStart Rajasthan hit the road for a 15-day, 3,000 km sweep across seven cities, a clear pattern emerged. Technology was no longer the preserve of big metros; it was narrowing the gap between districts and giving first-time builders the tools to develop their ideas from the ground up.

As a result, the state now hosts more than 7.2K startups under iStart, created over 42.5K jobs, and facilitated investments exceeding INR 1,000 Cr across sectors. With over 2.6K women-led startups, the state has been able to expand its reach to sectors like fintech, ecommerce, cleantech, edtech and healthcare. This strong momentum is being supported by policies and infrastructure that give young companies room to build and scale.

To build on this momentum, Rajasthan’s Department of Information Technology & Communication (DoIT&C) is partnering with TiE Rajasthan to host the Rajasthan DigiFest alongside the 10th edition of the TiE Global Summit (TGS). The Summit will take place in Jaipur from January 4-6, 2026, at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC).

“Geographical proximity to Delhi NCR, combined with the government’s speed, intent, and willingness to act, makes Rajasthan an ideal location to accelerate this curve. The Summit will use this moment to position Jaipur as a global innovation hub, drive economic growth, create jobs, and cultivate a deep entrepreneurial talent pool,” said Mahavir Pratap Sharma, the convener of the 10th edition of the TGS. 

This will also be the first time the TGS is being hosted in a non-metro, an intentional move to highlight how emerging centres like Jaipur can deliver strong outcomes with comparatively fewer resources. “Jaipur offers a compelling mix of policy support, cost advantages, quality of life and fast government execution,” Sharma said.

The event will host 10K entrepreneurs and delegates, more than 500 investors, over 100 global speakers from 30 countries and upwards of 150 exhibiting startups. Besides the Rajasthan DigiFest, the Summit will also bring together global tracks, curated investor interactions, cultural-innovation events, a film festival, ComicCon and a gaming zone, blending global reach with regional opportunity.

Bringing Global Startup Spotlight To The Pink City

Rajasthan has more than 53 Mn internet subscribers and an internet penetration rate of over 65%. This digital reach has helped the state nurture several successful startups, including CarDekho, Wooden Street, Finova Capital, Minimalist, Kirana King and HOP Electric Mobility, all of which call the state home.

Now, with the Rajasthan DigiFest X TiE Global Summit 2026 coming to Jaipur, this momentum is set to tilt further towards technology, growth and sustainability. The Summit will focus on how AI could reshape technology and business innovation over the next decade, how Rajasthan can scale its digital economy in step with India’s rise, and why building responsibly and inclusively is essential for long-term value creation.

“Given Rajasthan’s position at the cusp of accelerated hockey-stick growth, these themes ensure Rajasthan DigiFest X TiE Global Summit 2026 becomes a platform for founders to innovate, scale, and build businesses that are future-ready and globally competitive,” Sharma said. 

He added that high-potential sectors such as AI, ML, AR/VR, mediatech, agritech, fintech, proptech, sportstech, robotics, and data centres are likely to gain strong attention from attendees. These sectors are expected to drive new investments, spur innovation cycles, and create jobs across the state. 

Apart from the main stage, the Summit will feature several dedicated cohorts, including the Global Investors Meet, where leading global VC funds and corporates will engage with startups. It will also host TGS 100, a challenge to identify India’s top 100 investable startups, as well as the TiE Women Global Finals and the TiE University Finals.

There will also be dedicated tracks on AI, mediatech, sustainability, agritech and fintech, bringing together founders, investors and domain experts to explore emerging trends, use cases and opportunities for scale. 

To maximise interactions between attendees, founders, investors and speakers, the Summit will feature multiple engagement formats, including Investor-Startup Speed Networking, the Global Investors Meet, sector-specific pitch tracks, the TGS 100 pitch stage, closed-door VC roundtables and exclusive TiE Charter Member sessions.

The first two days will conclude with high-value networking dinners, and the closing night will host the TGS Awards Ceremony at the Taj Rambagh Palace in Jaipur.

Rajasthan’s Blueprint For Sustained Tech & Startup Growth

The Rajasthan DigiFest X TiE Global Summit 2026 is expected to draw delegations from more than 30 countries, bringing together global VC firms, family offices, accelerators, university innovation teams, and international founders.

The global network of TiE, spanning more than 63 chapters, will further strengthen the cross-border mix, with participation expected from the US, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. The goal is to give Rajasthan’s startup ecosystem a seat at the global table and enable exchanges that can meaningfully shift outcomes for early-stage and growth-stage companies.

In the words of the organisers, the emphasis will be on the depth and quality of interactions rather than sheer volume. The key markers they will track include the number and outcomes of startup-investor meetings, the deals set in motion, and the partnerships forged between corporates, academia and the government.

Sharma said that the team would also expect a rise in global collaborations and a wider spread of startups across Tier II & III regions. 

“Over the medium term, we are looking at gains in GDP, job creation and a stronger entrepreneurial base. But in the longer run, we want to position Rajasthan as a place where global tech companies choose to set up operations and where Rajasthan stands out as a hub for tech investments,” Sharma said. 

The cross-border collaboration expected during the summit is likely to play a much larger role in the coming years, and founders are expected to find diverse opportunities under one roof.

And if you are someone building in India and want to be part of this global mix and tap into the opportunities taking shape, now’s the time to register and book your spot.