Why global tech leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and AI pioneers are heading to Jaipur this January

Three days. Over 100 global speakers. 500+ venture funds. 10,000+ delegates. And one question that will shape the next decade: How can India harness artificial intelligence not just for economic growth, but for social transformation?

This is the conversation at the heart of Rajasthan DigiFest X TiE Global Summit 2026, taking place from January 4 to 6, 2026, at Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre. Unlike regular tech conferences focused solely on innovation or investment, this gathering will bring together technology leadership from companies building AI infrastructure, government vision from policymakers implementing AI-driven governance, and entrepreneurial ambition from startups deploying AI solutions across sectors.

The speaker lineup: Where global expertise meets local vision

The summit will headline a rare mix of perspectives. Prominent speakers include Shanker Trivedi, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Business at Nvidia, Lenjoy Lin, Co-founder of Genspark.ai and former Head of Engineering at TikTok, and various other notable speakers. The speaker roster also features notable personalities from diverse fields: Virender Sehwag, former Indian cricketer;Bhumi Pednekar, Bollywood actress; Ricky Kej, Grammy-winning music composer and environmentalist; Chuks Collins, multidisciplinary artist and fashion designer; and Vivek Oberoi, Bollywood actor and entrepreneur. Their presence underscores the summit's commitment to exploring the intersection of technology, creativity, and social impact.

Central ministers, dignitaries, and government officials will also participate, bringing policy vision alongside entrepreneurial and technological expertise.

What distinguishes the programming is its focus on practical application. Sessions explore not just what AI can do, but how it's being deployed to solve specific problems in healthcare delivery, agricultural productivity, financial inclusion, and urban planning.

Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Summit: Policy meets implementation

On January 6, the summit hosts the Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Summit, a landmark forum convened under the IndiaAI Mission. The event will also include the launch of Rajasthan's AI/ML Policy and Portal, announcement of AI skilling programs, and unveiling of the Rajasthan AI Mission. These are concrete policy initiatives backed by infrastructure investment and talent development programs.

The AI Summit features dual-track programming exploring critical themes across multiple sectors. Sessions will cover topics including AI in AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality), AI applications in the creative economy, AI-driven skilling initiatives, and AI's role in cybersecurity and gaming. The programming examines how AI can transform industries from film production to public service delivery, with discussions on both technological innovation and ethical frameworks. The summit also includes an AI Hackathon, bringing together developers to build solutions addressing real-world challenges.

"When IndiaAI Mission, state governments, and global tech leaders converge to discuss AI implementation across governance and industry, we're moving from potential to action. This summit is about building the frameworks that will define responsible AI deployment in India," says Sameer Jain, MD, Primus Partners.

iStart 100 and TGS 100: Where startups meet capital and opportunity

Rajasthan's startup ecosystem receives dedicated attention through iStart 100, a curated platform showcasing 100 promising startups from the state. These startups will represent the best of local innovation across sectors with direct access to investors and corporates looking to discover regional talent with strong fundamentals and scalable solutions. All these 100 startups will receive a sponsored trip to Silicon Valley, offering unparalleled exposure to global innovation ecosystems and networking opportunities.

Complementing this is TGS 100, which creates the mechanism for translating ideas into funded ventures. This curated platform brings together 100 high-potential early-stage startups from across India, connecting them with global Indian investors and offering a focused opportunity to present to the Summit’s investor community.

With 500+ venture funds represented, startups gain access to capital across various stages. But TGS 100 offers more than pitch slots. Selected startups receive priority access to pre-arranged investor meetings, eliminating typical networking hustle. Each receives a free Silver Pass granting access to keynote sessions, parallel programming, and the exhibition, where 200+ startups showcase innovations.

The platform emphasizes investor matchmaking, connecting startups with funds that match their sector, stage, and geographic focus. This increases the likelihood of meaningful conversations leading to term sheets. Beyond capital, TGS 100 provides visibility to potential co-founders, mentors from the 3,000+ TiE charter member community, and corporate partners. Pitching before 5,000+ attendees creates brand recognition extending beyond immediate fundraising needs.

"TGS 100 isn't just a pitch competition, it's a curated gateway to India's most active investor community,” says Mahavir Pratap Sharma, Convener of TiE Global Summit.

State partnerships: Building India's distributed innovation ecosystem

The summit's reach extends through partnerships with various states such as Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Haryana, and Maharashtra, each bringing segments of their startup ecosystems to Jaipur. This multi-state participation reflects a trend where Tier II cities and smaller states build competitive ecosystems through supportive policies and sector-specific focus.

Why this matters now

India's startup ecosystem has matured significantly. Early-stage funding is more accessible. Exit opportunities through IPOs and acquisitions have materialized. But challenges remain around scaling sustainably, accessing growth capital, and building world-class products from India.

Rajasthan DigiFest X TiE Global Summit 2026 aims to address these by creating a concentrated environment where resources, knowledge, and opportunities converge. The summit's timing aligns with critical inflection points: AI transitioning from experimentation to production deployment, India's digital public infrastructure enabling new business models, and states competing to attract investment and talent.

For startups, the path forward requires accessing the right capital, finding mentors who've navigated similar challenges, hiring talent in competitive markets, and staying ahead of technological shifts. TGS 2026 compresses access to all these elements into a single, high-density experience.

For three days, Jaipur becomes the center of India's entrepreneurial universe. The question for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone building India's technological future is straightforward: Can you afford not to be there?