The inaugural edition of the Elets Digital Natives Summit, held on 23rd February at The LaLit Ashok, Bengaluru, marked a significant milestone in the enterprise sector, bringing together a diverse group of leaders and innovators to explore the future of digital transformation. Organized by Elets Technomedia in collaboration with Elets CIO, the event was themed “Weaving Enterprise Expertise with Digital First Organisations”, reflecting a commitment to integrating traditional enterprise strategies with the dynamic approaches of digital-first entities.

Krishna Mishra, Product Head – Special Projects at Elets Technomedia, set the tone for the day with his opening address, emphasising the summit’s importance as a platform for bridging the gap between enterprise and digital-first organisations. The summit featured an impressive lineup of over 45 speakers, delivering insights across ten dynamic sessions on topics ranging from AI-driven transformation and cybersecurity to e-commerce and digital governance.

Highlights included discussions on the transformative impact of Generative AI, the adoption of Zero Trust Architecture in cybersecurity, and strategies for enhancing customer experience through AI and analytics. The participation of notable figures such as Dr. B.R.Mamatha, IAS, Inspector General of Registration & Commissioner of Stamps, Government of Karnataka; Darshan HV, Director, Department of IT & BT, Government of Karnataka; Prabhakar H.L., Assistant Inspector General of Registration (Computers) and Project Director (KAVERI), Government of Karnataka; Nikhil Mittal, Chief Technology Officer, Zepto; Mohan Sushantam, Chief Data Officer, Vivriti Capital underscored the event’s significance in fostering a dialogue between the public and private sectors on digital innovation.

Dr. B.R.Mamatha, IAS, Inspector General of Registration & Commissioner of Stamps, Government of Karnataka, stated, “We have transcended the digital age, moving towards a new paradigm where governance extends beyond traditional government roles. The people’s expectations have escalated; they seek a participatory form of governance, aspiring to be consumers and active participants. This shift towards participatory governance, where the public demands to be true partners with the government, would not have been feasible without technology. In this era, technology enables a transformation, allowing the public to genuinely engage with government, beyond being mere stakeholders.”

Prabhakar H.L., Assistant Inspector General of Registration (Computers) and Project Director (KAVERI), Government of Karnataka, expressed, “The introduction of Aadhaar has been a cornerstone in addressing this challenge, providing a robust solution for identity verification. Moreover, land governance is on the cusp of a revolution with initiatives like the proposed ‘Aadhaar for land,’ aiming to simplify land-related transactions significantly.”

Darshan HV, IAS, Director, Department of IT & BT, Government of Karnataka, delivered a special address at the summit and said, “Karnataka stands at the forefront of technology and innovation, providing a fertile ecosystem for digital and technological advancements. As a pioneer in introducing groundbreaking policies, Karnataka has significantly shaped the IT sector, especially since the late 1990s and early 2000s, propelling Bangalore to its current global stature.”

During the summit, an exclusive presentation was given by Nikhil Mittal, Chief Technology Officer, Zepto. He stated, “Leveraging big data through predictive analytics is key to understanding trends, optimising inventory management, and refining last-mile logistics. Such a predictive approach reduces operational costs and ensures a seamless customer experience, illustrating the transformative power of big data in quick commerce.”

The summit also celebrated the achievements of leaders and startups in the enterprise world through the Elets Startup Awards, showcasing the vibrant innovation ecosystem driving the digital economy forward.

Harshul Arora, Founder & CEO at Macgence, was awarded the Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Shiprocket was recognised as Startup Leader of the Year; Nexapp was felicitated under the category Network Transformation Leader along with others.

With support from key partners such as the Department of Electronics, IT, BT, and S&T, Government of Karnataka, K-tech, and Startup Karnataka, along with the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, and contributions from industry leaders like Exotel, HashiCorp, Aerospike, Spectra, Crayon, Gumlet, Datamotive, Nexapp, and PCloudy, Elets Digital Natives Summit 2024 successfully laid the groundwork for future discussions on shaping the digital landscape.

This gathering provided a platform for networking and collaboration among professionals and highlighted the critical role of technology in enabling participatory governance and driving economic growth. As we look forward to our upcoming summits, the insights and collaborations born from this event will undoubtedly continue to influence the trajectory of digital transformation globally.

For more information and updates on future events, visit the official website: https://cio.eletsonline.com/