From Research to Startups: Translating Ideas into Real-World Solutions

Oct 01, 2026

The AWaDH CPS Lab at MIT World Peace University, Pune, hosted an insightful interaction with Prof. Dhiraj K. Mahajan from IIT Ropar on 30 September 2026, bringing together students and faculty to explore how academic research can be transformed into practical solutions and innovative startups.

The session focused on translating research into real-world impact across key domains such as agriculture, energy, and healthcare. Prof. Mahajan shared perspectives on identifying problems at their core, breaking complex challenges into manageable components, and developing research-driven approaches that can lead to meaningful technological solutions.

A key focus of the interaction was the journey from projects to products. Prof. Mahajan discussed opportunities for research funding and technology translation, while highlighting how innovation and entrepreneurship can help promising academic ideas progress beyond laboratories and classrooms towards practical implementation.

The session also explored the importance of embedding problem-solving, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking into academic pedagogy, enabling students to approach research with a stronger understanding of societal and industry needs.

Around 50 B.Tech, M.Tech, and Ph.D. students, along with faculty members, participated in the session and actively interacted with Prof. Mahajan. The discussions provided participants with valuable perspectives on research translation, technology development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The interaction contributed to the ongoing efforts of the AWaDH CPS Lab at MIT-WPU to foster a problem-solving and startup-oriented culture, encouraging students and researchers to translate academic knowledge into solutions with real-world relevance and impact.

The session was conducted in association with the IET, IEEE, and ASME Student Chapters at MIT-WPU.