He Travelled Across the Country to Showcase AI. By Evening, His Stall Was Empty.

india talks big about becoming an AI superpower. Global summits. Grand stages. Big speeches. Bigger hashtags.

But for one AI startup founder from Bengaluru, Day 1 of the india AI Impact Summit in delhi turned into something else entirely — a lesson in how fragile that promise can feel on the ground.

He had paid a significant fee to secure a stall at the exhibition. Transported his AI wearable products. Set up his display. Prepared to pitch, network, and maybe land that one breakthrough connection every startup dreams of.

Then, around noon, everything changed.

1️⃣ “Please Vacate. The PM Is Arriving.”

At 12 PM, security personnel reportedly asked exhibitors to step out because the prime minister was scheduled to visit the venue.

The founder complied. Like many others, he assumed it would be temporary — a short security sweep, maybe 30 minutes or an hour at most.

His stall, his devices, his inventory — all left inside, under what he believed was official security oversight.

He waited outside.

Minutes passed.

Then hours.

2️⃣ Silence, Confusion, No Clear Communication

What followed wasn’t just a delay — it was chaos.

There was no clear communication from organisers about when exhibitors could re-enter. No structured updates. No timeline.

people stood outside, unsure of what was happening.

It wasn’t until nearly 6 PM — roughly six hours later — that he was finally allowed back inside.

And that’s when the real shock hit.

3️⃣ The Stall Was Cleared Out

When he returned, his belongings were gone.

Products missing. Equipment missing. Personal items are missing.

The very innovations he had travelled across the country to showcase had been looted.

For a startup founder, that’s not just inventory. That’s months — sometimes years — of work. Prototypes. Investment. Sweat equity.

And now? Gone.

4️⃣ Innovation Can’t Survive Optics Alone

Summits are meant to inspire. To connect innovators with policymakers. To signal that a nation is serious about technology leadership.

But events built around optics, security theatrics, and VIP movement can sometimes forget the very people they claim to celebrate.

Startups don’t need grand slogans.

They need:

• Secure infrastructure

• Professional event management

• Accountability when things go wrong
  
  
  

• Real, practical support

Innovation ecosystems aren’t built on stage lighting and photo opportunities. They’re built on trust.

5️⃣ The Bigger Question

india absolutely has the talent, ambition, and scale to lead in AI. The ecosystem is vibrant. Founders are building aggressively. Investors are watching closely.

But leadership isn’t declared.

It’s demonstrated.

If innovators can’t rely on basic protection at government-backed events, what message does that send?

Becoming an AI superpower isn’t about hosting summits.

It’s about building systems that respect and safeguard the people actually doing the work.

Because without them, the banners and speeches mean very little.