Dr Prakash Sharma
Global Startup Ecosystem Ambassador
Dr. Prakash Sharma is a distinguished IT veteran, academician, researcher, and startup ecosystem builder with more than three decades of experience in digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He is the creator of the PASSION Framework , a pioneering research-driven model developed to strengthen India's startup ecosystem by promoting entrepreneurship, process excellence, and founder well-being. Originally conceived over two decades ago to address unemployment and encourage innovation-led growth, the framework was formalized through his Ph.D. research in Marketing with a specialization in startup ecosystems.
Dr. Sharma is the founder of PCombinator , a research-led startup accelerator that bridges the gap between academia and industry by supporting student entrepreneurs, startup founders, and innovation-driven enterprises. Built around the PASSION Framework's seven core dimensions and twenty-eight process areas, the ecosystem helps startups improve governance, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and investment readiness through specialized audits and strategic mentoring. Recognized by UBI Global as a leading challenger in the Asia-Pacific startup ecosystem, PCombinator connects founders with a network of more than 500 industry experts, investors, and technology leaders.
Prior to establishing the PASSION ecosystem, Dr. Sharma built an accomplished career in information technology, leading large-scale ERP implementations, digital transformation initiatives, and data governance projects across industry and government. He has served as Chief Investigator for key Department of Electronics initiatives , evaluated numerous government and NGO innovation projects, and continues to research venture capital strategy, artificial intelligence, and cyber security governance. As a member of the Honorary Board of Advisors of the Pune Ideas Festival, Dr. Sharma brings deep expertise in entrepreneurship, digital innovation, startup acceleration, AI, and ecosystem development, supporting the festival's mission to inspire ideas that drive sustainable economic growth and technological advancement.
