About Us
dhaRti Foundation
The Dharwad Research and Technology Incubator Foundation, an innovation-driven initiative supported by IIT Dharwad. Our mission is to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and technological advancement, enabling startups and innovators to transform cutting-edge research into scalable, market-ready solutions. DhaRTI serves as a catalyst for the region’s growing technology ecosystem, providing a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, and researchers to thrive and create impactful solutions for society.
Our Vision
To be a world-class incubator that accelerates the commercialization of innovative technologies and nurtures entrepreneurial talent, with a focus on solving global challenges.
Our Mission
Nurture innovation
By providing startups with resources, mentorship, and infrastructure to help them thrive.
Bridge the gap
to foster and maintain vibrant Innovation Ecosystems by encouraging collaboration among industry, academia, and startups.
Support sustainable entrepreneurship
Addresses key challenges in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, clean energy, and manufacturing.
Skill development
to empower innovators, entrepreneurs, and professionals by fostering skill development through world-class training, mentorship, and hands-on experience.
We Support
Key Sectors
We nurture startups working on high-impact innovations across diverse sectors
Biosciences
Innovation
Sustainable Food
& Agriculture
Smart
Manufacturing & AI
Clean Energy
& Sustainability
Our Journey
Founded with a vision to transform ideas into reality, dhaRti Foundation was established to support and nurture early-stage startups and innovations in the fields of technology, research, and development. The foundation’s journey began at IIT Dharwad, a hub of technical excellence and research, where we identified the need for a structured environment that could support entrepreneurs and innovators in bringing their solutions to market. Since its inception in 2022, dhaRti has played a key role in bridging the gap between academia and industry by providing resources, mentorship, and strategic support to emerging companies.
Today, dhaRti continues to be a dynamic incubator where ideas are nurtured, technologies are developed, and businesses are built. Through partnerships with academic institutions, corporate sponsors, and government bodies, we are creating an ecosystem that enables startups to grow, scale, and make a meaningful impact on society.
Board members
Board Members Driving Innovation
At IIT Dharwad and dhaRti Foundation, our team comprises visionary leaders, accomplished researchers, and experienced entrepreneurs who are committed to transforming ideas into impact. Together, we foster an environment of collaboration, creativity, and excellence, empowering startups and innovators to scale and succeed.
Prof Venkappayya R Desai
Chairman of BoD
Prof Mahadev Prasanna
Board Director
Prof Anand Khusre
Board Director
Prof Rajkumar Hirwani
Board Director
Dr Poyni Bhatt
Board Director
Dr Krishna Kulkarni
Board Director
Shri Sanjeev Kumar Gupta
Board Director
Dr Amar Gaonkar
Board Director & Faculty Incharge
The Team
Catalyst for Change
Our team of researchers, entrepreneurs, mentors, and support staff at dhaRti Foundation is passionate about helping startups grow, scale, and thrive. With expertise spanning multiple industries—including biotech, clean energy, agritech, AI, and manufacturing—our team provides hands-on guidance and strategic direction to early-stage ventures.
Prof. Amar Gaonkar
Associate Dean Entrepreneruship, Incubation and dhaRti Foundation
Prof. Nagaveni
FiC IIC & dhaRti
Prof. Sudhanshu Shukla
PI, dhaRti BioNEST Incubation Center Program
Prof. Swananda Marathe
Co-PI dhaRti BioNEST Incubation Center Program
Mr. Rakshit Kalyani
COO, dhaRti BioNEST Incubation Center Program
Mr. Malathesh L.
Program Head/Manager, dhaRti BioNEST Incubation Center Program
Ms. Pavitra M J
Administrative Assistant dhaRti BioNEST Incubation Center Program
Shri Chetan Totad
Officiating Finance Manager dhaRti Foundation
Our Support Staff
Our team of researchers, entrepreneurs, mentors, and support staff at dhaRti Foundation is passionate about helping startups grow, scale, and thrive. With expertise spanning multiple industries—including biotech, clean energy, agritech, AI, and manufacturing—our team provides hands-on guidance and strategic direction to early-stage ventures.
Dr Sudhanshu Shukla
Project Investigator
Dr Swananda Marathe
Co-Project Investigator
Industry leaders
Advisors and Mentors
Dr Sudhanshu Shukla
Project Investigator
Dr Swananda Marathe
Co-Project Investigator
Dr Swananda Marathe
Co-Project Investigator
