BITS Pilani Inaugurates the Rakesh Kapoor Innovation Centre: A Hub for AI, ML, and IoT-Driven Entrepreneurship

BITS Pilani recently inaugurated the ‘Rakesh Kapoor Innovation Centre,’ a dedicated hub for entrepreneurship located on the BITS Pilani campus. This center is set to play a pivotal role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors. It has been made possible through a generous donation of $1.2 million (approximately Rs 10 crore) from BITS Pilani alumnus Rakesh Kapoor, from the Batch of 1980. This is the largest gift the university has ever received, as per an official statement.

“Innovation is the lifeblood and engine of economic and societal progress. The depth and rigour of a BITS education combined with the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that pervades campus life, I truly believe the possibilities for the coming generations are limitless,” said Rakesh Kapoor.

The Rakesh Kapoor Innovation Centre is home to the Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS), a business incubator established with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Designed by the renowned architect Hafeez Contractor, this state-of-the-art facility spans an impressive 40,000 sq. ft. Within its walls, specialized labs in cutting-edge fields such as Internet-of-Things, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Fin-Tech Labs have found their home.

Additionally, the center provides the necessary space for administrative offices, catering to professionals and faculty members actively involved in incubation activities.

“As we launch this Innovation Centre at BITS, we begin a new era in entrepreneurship and innovation. This facility exemplifies our commitment to fostering collaboration, curiosity and innovation. Here, the brightest minds will unite to transform concepts into solutions and aspirations into reality,” remarked V. Ramgopal Rao, the Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani.

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