IIT Guwahati Hosts ISBACON 2025, Marking Northeast India’s First Conference on Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences
Guwahati, December 13, 2025 – The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati successfully hosted the 17th Indian STEPs & Business Incubators Association Conference (ISBACON 2025) from December 10 to 12, marking a significant milestone as the first time this prestigious event has been held in Northeast India. The conference was themed “Enabling the Enablers for a Viksit Bharat,” focusing on aligning regional aspirations with the national startup movement and enhancing India’s innovation-driven entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Inaugural Session
The inaugural session of ISBACON 2025 was attended by prominent figures in the field, including:
- Ashok Puranik, Director of AIIMS Guwahati, who served as the Chief Guest.
- Rajesh Thakur, Administrator of Guwahati Biotech Park.
- Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati.
Prasad Menon, President of ISBA, emphasized the importance of hosting the conference in the Northeast, celebrating 20 years of ISBA and acknowledging the growing role of enablers in India’s startup ecosystem.
Event Highlights
Over the course of three days, ISBACON 2025 attracted more than 200 participants and 300 delegates from academia, industry, and government sectors. The event featured a total of 20 sessions, which included panel discussions, masterclasses, and keynote addresses. Key themes of the sessions included:
- ISBA@20: The Journey of Incubators
- Local to Global: Strengthening International Linkages
- Building Growth Partnerships: For Incubators and Startups
- Tier II & III Incubation Ecosystems: Focus on DeepTech
- Shaping India’s Multi-Sectored Approach
Roundtable Discussion
A key roundtable discussion titled “Vision for Deep Tech Innovation and Incubation in the Times of Viksit Bharat” provided actionable insights into:
- Policy requirements
- Infrastructure needs
- Collaboration opportunities to accelerate innovation
Distinguished Speakers
The conference featured 37 distinguished speakers, including members of the ISBA Advisory Board. They discussed various topics such as:
- Incubation excellence
- Emerging technologies
- Sophisticated funding mechanisms
- Social impact
- Strategies for building resilient institutions
Fostering Collaboration and Regional Impact
Swapnil Sinha, CEO of IIT Guwahati BioNEST, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the conference, highlighting its role as a launchpad for startup enablers in Northeast India. The event received support from leading financial institutions, including:
- IDFC First Bank
- HDFC Parivarthan
Additionally, government bodies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), and BIRAC played a crucial role in supporting the conference.
Strengthening India’s Vision
ISBACON 2025 reinforced cross-regional collaboration, policy integration, and capacity building, contributing to India’s vision of a Viksit Bharat through innovation and entrepreneurship. The conference aimed to create a robust framework for nurturing startups and fostering an environment conducive to deep-tech innovation.
Conclusion
The successful hosting of ISBACON 2025 at IIT Guwahati marks a pivotal moment for Northeast India, showcasing the region’s potential in the startup ecosystem and its commitment to advancing behavioral and cognitive neurosciences. The insights and collaborations formed during this event are expected to drive significant advancements in the field and contribute to the overall growth of India’s innovation landscape.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on the details provided about ISBACON 2025 and its significance in the context of Northeast India’s startup ecosystem.
