Hyderabad’s position as a global technology destination took centre stage as HYSEA hosted the 33rd edition of the HYSEA Annual Summit & Awards 2026 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), bringing together 1,200+ technology leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, analysts, investors and startup founders to discuss the next phase of transformation driven by AI and intelligent software systems.
Held in partnership with STPI Hyderabad and the ITE&C Department, Government of Telangana, the Summit explored how AI-driven systems, intelligent software and deep technologies are reshaping enterprises, products and talent models across industries.
The event was graced by Sri. G. Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Union Minister for Coal and Mines, alongside senior leaders from industry and academia.
Conference Theme: Intelligence Everywhere
This year’s Summit theme, “Intelligence Everywhere: Leading the New Era of Transformation,” focused on how intelligence is becoming embedded across systems, products and enterprise operations—pushing organisations beyond pilots into real, measurable impact.
Speaking at the Summit, Prashanth Nandella, President, HYSEA, highlighted that Hyderabad’s technology journey has been defined by its ability to adapt through successive waves of change, and that future jobs will increasingly sit at the intersection of deep domain expertise and advanced technology capabilities.
A Strong Speaker Line-up Across Industry, Research and Innovation
The Summit featured a high-impact set of voices spanning global research, enterprise leadership, and deep-tech innovation, including leaders from Gartner, Cognizant, Bharat Biotech, PwC, Ananth Technologies, Forrester, Avasant, and more.
The day included keynotes, analyst insights, practitioner talks, AI masterclasses and a Startup & Product Expo, showcasing emerging technology solutions.
Major Launches: Reports and a Coffee Table Book on Hyderabad’s IT Journey
A highlight of the Summit was the unveiling of a coffee table book titled “Making IT Happen”, developed in collaboration with The Times of India, chronicling Hyderabad’s IT journey and the ecosystem that enabled the city’s rise as a global technology destination.
HYSEA also released the refreshed second edition of the HYSEA Scale@Hyderabad – Global Technology Destination Report, developed with the Government of Telangana, KPMG in India, CBRE and Aon, offering updated insights into Hyderabad’s momentum as a global technology hub.
In addition, HYSEA presented a knowledge report with PwC titled “How IT & GCC Organisations in Telangana are Advancing the Global AI Edge,” capturing how organisations are adopting AI to strengthen competitiveness, drive innovation and build globally relevant capabilities.
What Leaders Discussed: GCCs, Talent, Cybersecurity, Deep Tech and the Future of SaaS
Key discussions at the Summit explored: deep tech adoption in enterprises, the evolving role of GCCs, talent transformation in the age of AI, cybersecurity in an agent-driven landscape, and the future of software and SaaS platforms.
A fireside conversation between Prashanth Nandella (HYSEA) and Rajesh Varrier (Cognizant India) focused on how enterprises are translating rapid advances in AI into measurable business outcomes, and how GCCs are evolving into engines of engineering and innovation.
Ahead of the Summit, HYSEA also hosted a CXO research roundtable on “Lab to Market: Making Hyderabad India’s Deeptech Capital,” focused on strengthening research commercialisation and accelerating deep-tech innovation.
One of the most buzzed-about sessions of the day tackled the changing software landscape through a panel titled “Navigating the SaaSpocalypse – Is Software Finally Eating Itself?”, discussing how generative AI is reshaping SaaS and the future of software.
Awards Night: Recognising Exports, Growth, Workforce and Innovation
During the evening ceremony, HYSEA Industry Awards recognised organisations for excellence in exports, business growth, employment generation and women workforce advancement.
HYSEA also conferred its Lifetime Achievement Award on Srinivasa Raju Chintalapati (Srini Raju), Chairman, iLABS Group, recognising his contributions to entrepreneurship, venture investment and India’s innovation ecosystem.
HYSEA 10X Product Awards: Strong Startup Participation and Higher Maturity
The HYSEA 10X Product Awards, one of the country’s largest startup recognition platforms, saw strong participation this year. From 294 nominations (272 startups and 32 established companies), a jury of 50+ industry expertsshortlisted 40 finalists who showcased their solutions at the Summit Expo.
The cohort reflected growing startup maturity, with 36% having raised institutional funding and 12% crossing USD 1M in ARR, along with a strong presence of B2B and enterprise technology startups.
Hyderabad’s position as a global technology destination took centre stage as HYSEA hosted the 33rd edition of the HYSEA Annual Summit & Awards 2026 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), bringing together 1,200+ technology leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, analysts, investors and startup founders to discuss the next phase of transformation driven by AI and intelligent software systems.
Held in partnership with STPI Hyderabad and the ITE&C Department, Government of Telangana, the Summit explored how AI-driven systems, intelligent software and deep technologies are reshaping enterprises, products and talent models across industries.
The event was graced by Sri. G. Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Union Minister for Coal and Mines, alongside senior leaders from industry and academia.
Conference Theme: Intelligence Everywhere
This year’s Summit theme, “Intelligence Everywhere: Leading the New Era of Transformation,” focused on how intelligence is becoming embedded across systems, products and enterprise operations—pushing organisations beyond pilots into real, measurable impact.
Speaking at the Summit, Prashanth Nandella, President, HYSEA, highlighted that Hyderabad’s technology journey has been defined by its ability to adapt through successive waves of change, and that future jobs will increasingly sit at the intersection of deep domain expertise and advanced technology capabilities.
A Strong Speaker Line-up Across Industry, Research and Innovation
The Summit featured a high-impact set of voices spanning global research, enterprise leadership, and deep-tech innovation, including leaders from Gartner, Cognizant, Bharat Biotech, PwC, Ananth Technologies, Forrester, Avasant, and more.
The day included keynotes, analyst insights, practitioner talks, AI masterclasses and a Startup & Product Expo, showcasing emerging technology solutions.
Major Launches: Reports and a Coffee Table Book on Hyderabad’s IT Journey
A highlight of the Summit was the unveiling of a coffee table book titled “Making IT Happen”, developed in collaboration with The Times of India, chronicling Hyderabad’s IT journey and the ecosystem that enabled the city’s rise as a global technology destination.
HYSEA also released the refreshed second edition of the HYSEA Scale@Hyderabad – Global Technology Destination Report, developed with the Government of Telangana, KPMG in India, CBRE and Aon, offering updated insights into Hyderabad’s momentum as a global technology hub.
In addition, HYSEA presented a knowledge report with PwC titled “How IT & GCC Organisations in Telangana are Advancing the Global AI Edge,” capturing how organisations are adopting AI to strengthen competitiveness, drive innovation and build globally relevant capabilities.
What Leaders Discussed: GCCs, Talent, Cybersecurity, Deep Tech and the Future of SaaS
Key discussions at the Summit explored: deep tech adoption in enterprises, the evolving role of GCCs, talent transformation in the age of AI, cybersecurity in an agent-driven landscape, and the future of software and SaaS platforms.
A fireside conversation between Prashanth Nandella (HYSEA) and Rajesh Varrier (Cognizant India) focused on how enterprises are translating rapid advances in AI into measurable business outcomes, and how GCCs are evolving into engines of engineering and innovation.
Ahead of the Summit, HYSEA also hosted a CXO research roundtable on “Lab to Market: Making Hyderabad India’s Deeptech Capital,” focused on strengthening research commercialisation and accelerating deep-tech innovation.
One of the most buzzed-about sessions of the day tackled the changing software landscape through a panel titled “Navigating the SaaSpocalypse – Is Software Finally Eating Itself?”, discussing how generative AI is reshaping SaaS and the future of software.
Awards Night: Recognising Exports, Growth, Workforce and Innovation
During the evening ceremony, HYSEA Industry Awards recognised organisations for excellence in exports, business growth, employment generation and women workforce advancement.
HYSEA also conferred its Lifetime Achievement Award on Srinivasa Raju Chintalapati (Srini Raju), Chairman, iLABS Group, recognising his contributions to entrepreneurship, venture investment and India’s innovation ecosystem.
HYSEA 10X Product Awards: Strong Startup Participation and Higher Maturity
The HYSEA 10X Product Awards, one of the country’s largest startup recognition platforms, saw strong participation this year. From 294 nominations (272 startups and 32 established companies), a jury of 50+ industry expertsshortlisted 40 finalists who showcased their solutions at the Summit Expo.
The cohort reflected growing startup maturity, with 36% having raised institutional funding and 12% crossing USD 1M in ARR, along with a strong presence of B2B and enterprise technology startups.
HYSEA-STPI Export Awards FY2024–25: Key Winners
More than ₹5000 Cr Category
- Infosys Ltd. – Export Champion
- Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. – Export Champion + Excellence in Growth + Workforce Growth Leader
- Tech Mahindra Ltd. – Excellence in Women’s Workforce Advancement
Up to ₹5000 Cr Category
- Capgemini Technology Services India Ltd. – Export Champion
- ValueLabs – Workforce Growth Leader
- LTM (A Larsen & Toubro Company) – Export Champion + Excellence in Growth + Women’s Workforce Advancement
Up to ₹500 Cr Category
- Primera Medical Technologies Pvt. Ltd. – Export Champion
- Firstsource Solutions Ltd. – Workforce Growth Leader
GCC Category
- Microsoft India R&D Pvt. Ltd. – Export Champion
- Qualcomm India Pvt. Ltd. – Export Champion
- HSBC Software Development (India) Pvt. Ltd. – Excellence in Growth
- Micron Technology Operations India LLP – Excellence in Growth
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. – Workforce Growth Leader
- Optum Global Solutions (India) Pvt. Ltd. – Women’s Workforce Advancement
Tier 2/3 Cities Category
-
Eclat Health Solutions (India) Pvt. Ltd. – Rising Star
HYSEA 10X Startup & Product Innovation Awards 2026: Winners
10X Startup Winners (Top 10)
- Skye Air Mobility Pvt Ltd – Skye Air
- Makers Hive Innovations Pvt Ltd – KalArm
- Deccan AI – Deccan AI Product Suite
- Finakon Technologies Pvt Ltd – BaaS
- Kuppismart Solutions Pvt Ltd – Livestockify
- Perceptyne Technologies Pvt Ltd – PR OMNI
- HirePlusPlus Technologies Pvt Ltd – Maya
- Cheerio AI – Cheerio AI
- Tenxplus Creations Pvt Ltd – Zeromoblt
- Kode Blue Technologies – BLU+
Product Innovation by Established Companies (Winners)
- Broadridge Financial Solutions, India – Distributed Ledger Repo
- Coforge – CodeInsightAI
- Hexagon Capability Hub India Pvt Ltd – AURA
Partners and Sponsors
HYSEA acknowledged support from a strong set of partners and sponsors, including Cognizant (Title Sponsor), along with organisations such as RealPage, DBS Tech, ServiceNow, Broadridge, Vanguard, Q City, Raheja Mindspace and ICICI Bank, among others.
Closing Note
With high-quality conversations on AI, deep tech, cybersecurity, GCC evolution, talent transformation and the future of software—along with major report launches and recognition of industry and startup excellence—HYSEA Annual Summit & Awards 2026 reinforced a clear message: Hyderabad is not just participating in the global AI era; it is positioning itself to lead from the front.
