Exclusive Interview with Ketan Mohitkar: Empowering Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Nation Building
India’s startup ecosystem has witnessed remarkable growth over the past decade, with innovators, entrepreneurs, educational institutions, and policymakers working together to drive economic and social transformation. Among the professionals contributing to this evolving landscape is Ketan Mohitkar, a social entrepreneur, educationist, startup mentor, innovation strategist, and Member Secretary of the Indian Council for Technical Research and Development (ICTRD).
Known for initiatives such as Nagpur Startup Fest, Innovators Meet, Citizen Hackathon, and ICTRD Round Table Forums, Mohitkar has consistently advocated for collaboration between technology, education, entrepreneurship, and governance. In this exclusive interview, he shares his journey, inspirations, and vision for building a stronger innovation ecosystem in India.
Q1. You have built a career across entrepreneurship, education, and innovation. Could you tell us about your journey and what inspired you to pursue this path?
Ketan Mohitkar:
My journey began in Yavatmal, Maharashtra, where I grew up in a family that valued public service, education, and discipline. Those early influences shaped my understanding of leadership and social responsibility.
As I pursued my education in information technology, computer applications, management, and socio-technical studies, I became increasingly interested in how technology could solve real-world problems. Rather than limiting innovation to software development, I wanted to create platforms that would connect entrepreneurs, researchers, educational institutions, government agencies, and citizens.
That vision eventually led me to entrepreneurship and later to broader ecosystem-building initiatives focused on innovation and public engagement.
Q2. You founded India Active Software early in your career. What motivated you to establish the company, and what were your initial goals?
Ketan Mohitkar:
India Active Software was founded with the belief that technology should create meaningful impact. Initially, our work focused on software development and digital solutions, but I quickly realized that technology companies can also become catalysts for innovation.
We started working closely with developers, startups, and businesses, helping them adopt digital solutions while creating opportunities for collaboration. Over time, the organization evolved beyond technology services and became part of a larger mission to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Central India.
The experience taught me that sustainable innovation comes from collaboration rather than competition.
Q3. Today, you are widely associated with startup ecosystem development. What inspired initiatives like Nagpur Startup Fest and Innovators Meet?
Ketan Mohitkar:
When I looked at the startup ecosystem, I noticed that entrepreneurs often had great ideas but lacked access to investors, mentors, policymakers, and industry leaders. At the same time, educational institutions and government organizations were looking for practical ways to encourage innovation.
Nagpur Startup Fest was created to bridge these gaps by bringing together startups, investors, academia, industry experts, and government representatives on a common platform.
Similarly, Innovators Meet was designed to encourage dialogue between innovators and policymakers. When different stakeholders come together, ideas move beyond discussions and become real opportunities for development.
Q4. As Member Secretary of ICTRD, what are your key priorities for strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem?
Ketan Mohitkar:
At ICTRD, our focus is on creating an ecosystem where innovation can flourish through collaboration.
Our priorities include promoting technical research, startup incubation, skill development, industry-academia partnerships, innovation policy discussions, and entrepreneurship education.
We believe that innovation should not be limited to metropolitan cities. Tier-II and Tier-III cities have tremendous talent, and by providing the right support systems, we can create opportunities that contribute to national development.
Our objective is to build institutions that empower innovators while addressing practical challenges faced by society.
Q5. You often speak about a “Sociotechnical Philosophy.” Could you explain what this concept means?
Ketan Mohitkar:
The Sociotechnical Philosophy is based on a simple principle: technology alone cannot solve every problem.
Real progress happens when technology, education, entrepreneurship, governance, and social responsibility work together.
For example, developing a new technology is only one part of innovation. The larger question is whether that technology improves people’s lives, creates opportunities, supports communities, and contributes to sustainable development.
This philosophy has influenced every initiative I have worked on because I believe innovation should always serve society.
Q6. Citizen Hackathon has become one of your notable initiatives. What role do you think citizens play in solving governance challenges?
Ketan Mohitkar:
Citizens understand local challenges better than anyone else. They experience issues related to transportation, healthcare, urban infrastructure, education, and digital access every day.
Citizen Hackathon encourages students, professionals, startups, and innovators to develop practical solutions for these problems.
Rather than waiting for change, we encourage people to become active participants in creating that change. Technology provides powerful tools, but citizen participation ensures those tools address genuine needs.
Q7. You have experience in entrepreneurship, education, technology, and public engagement. How do these different roles complement each other?
Ketan Mohitkar:
I have never viewed these areas as separate.
Education creates knowledge.
Entrepreneurship transforms ideas into solutions.
Technology enables scale.
Public engagement ensures those solutions reach society.
When these four elements work together, innovation becomes sustainable and meaningful. My professional journey has simply allowed me to contribute from different perspectives while working toward the same objective.
Q8. What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs and startup founders who want to build impactful businesses?
Ketan Mohitkar:
First, solve real problems instead of chasing trends.
Second, continue learning because innovation evolves rapidly.
Third, build strong networks with mentors, educational institutions, industry leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs.
Most importantly, remain patient. Every successful startup goes through challenges, setbacks, and periods of uncertainty.
Persistence, ethical leadership, and continuous improvement are far more valuable than short-term success.
Q9. How do you see India’s startup ecosystem evolving over the next decade?
Ketan Mohitkar:
India has already established itself as one of the world’s leading startup ecosystems.
The next phase will focus on deep technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, healthcare innovation, agriculture, education technology, and digital governance.
I also believe that smaller cities will play an increasingly important role. The future of Indian innovation will not be limited to a few metropolitan hubs. Regional innovation ecosystems will become equally significant in driving economic growth.
Q10. Finally, what legacy would you like to leave through your work in innovation and entrepreneurship?
Ketan Mohitkar:
If my work inspires more people to innovate responsibly, collaborate openly, and build solutions that improve society, I would consider that a meaningful legacy.
I hope the institutions, platforms, and initiatives I have helped create continue supporting future generations of entrepreneurs, researchers, educators, and policymakers.
Innovation should ultimately be about creating opportunities for people and contributing to national development. If we can achieve that collectively, the impact will extend far beyond any individual accomplishment.
Key Takeaways from the Interview
This conversation with Ketan Mohitkar highlights his commitment to building an innovation ecosystem where technology, education, entrepreneurship, and governance work together to create meaningful social impact. Through initiatives such as Nagpur Startup Fest, Innovators Meet, Citizen Hackathon, and his leadership at ICTRD, he continues to advocate for collaborative innovation and the development of entrepreneurial opportunities across India.
His emphasis on the Sociotechnical Philosophy reflects a long-term vision in which technological advancement is measured not only by economic growth but also by its contribution to society, education, and sustainable development. As India’s startup ecosystem continues to evolve, Mohitkar’s work demonstrates the importance of creating platforms that connect ideas, institutions, and people to shape the country’s innovation-driven future.
