Bengaluru, 18 September 2026 — As critical deadlines approach under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) framework, 250 founders and 35 venture capital representatives convened in Bengaluru for the DPDP Zone’s Privacy by Design 2026: Winning in the Era of AI, Security & Digital Trust summit. Held at the Radisson Blu Atria, the full-day event drew 350 total attendees just eight weeks before provisions governing Consent Managers take effect on 13 November 2026, and ahead of the broader enforcement of substantive Act provisions on 13 May 2027.
The gathering brought together enterprise leaders, legal experts, cybersecurity practitioners, and AI professionals to shift the narrative around data protection. Rather than treating compliance as a reactive, last-minute hurdle, the summit focused on integrating privacy, security, and responsible data practices directly into business scaling and product architecture.
Opening the summit, Sharath Shyamasunder, Founder and CEO of DPDP Zone and The Startup Zone, emphasized the human element behind regulatory frameworks. Rejecting the common analogy comparing data to oil, he noted, “Data isn’t oil. Data is us. Behind every data point is a person, a customer, an employee, a founder, a child, a family. Privacy is not just about protecting data. It is about protecting people.”
Shyamasunder also reframed compliance as a powerful commercial advantage for early-stage and growing companies. Pointing out that security and privacy questionnaires routinely precede critical meetings with enterprise clients and venture capitalists, he likened the shift to the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). “DPDP could be the GST moment for data privacy. Organisations that adapted early did not just survive. They got faster,” he stated.
The event featured robust engagement from the venture capital ecosystem, with 35 investors spanning pre-seed to growth stages in attendance. Notable funds represented included Bessemer Venture Partners, Kalaari Capital, Blume Ventures, Chiratae Ventures, Inflection Point Ventures, Campus Fund, and Venture Catalysts. A key highlight of the day was an exclusive, invite-only Demo Session where 15 startups pitched directly to these investors, bridging the gap between governance, readiness, and capital access.
The core agenda comprised four technical sessions and four panel discussions addressing critical operational pillars:
- Privacy by Design: Ricky Jha, Founder and CEO of Zerogrey Global and Data Protection Officer at Course5i, led a session examining the mirrored mindset required for secure product design.
- Responsible AI: Archana Moturi, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Assurtiv, explored how ethical AI practices can serve as a distinct competitive differentiator.
- Cybersecurity: Shamsheer Khan, Chief Security Officer at fnCyber, detailed how robust security frameworks drive sustainable growth.
- Legal Risks: Antra Ahuja of Saga Legal analyzed the high costs of non-compliance through real-world case studies.
Echoing the summit’s core mission, Nayaz Ahmed, CEO of JAIN Launchpad, noted the necessity of early adoption. “Too often, founders see data protection as an afterthought. We need them to consider it from day one, not as a compliance challenge, but as a way to build trust with their customers.”
Privacy by Design 2026 was presented by title sponsors Assurtiv and The Startup Zone. It received strategic backing from the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, Startup Karnataka, and the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, alongside a collaborative network of over 40 ecosystem partners spanning cloud computing, banking, media, and community outreach.
For further details regarding future initiatives and resources, visit events.dpdpzone.com.
