Anubhav Tiwari — Founder
Anubhav is an innovation strategist, policy advisor, and ecosystem builder with over a decade of experience navigating India’s startup, technology, and government landscapes. Until recently (Aug 2025), he served as Chief Innovation Officer at NIELIT–MeitY, Government of India, where he worked across ministries, states, and industry partners to design and implement national programs in AI, cybersecurity, deep tech incubation, and digital skilling. His role placed him at the crossroads of policy and execution, helping translate government vision into actionable innovation ecosystems.Alongside his government and advisory responsibilities, Anubhav built Virtual Slaps —originally a media, adtech, and consulting venture—which he is now pivoting into a hacker house–style accelerator and early-stage enablement fund. Virtual Slaps is designed for founders at the zero-to-one stage, combining community-driven innovation, capital, and product acceleration—especially for startups in regulated industries, gaming, and entertainment.Positioned as a bridge between policy and enterprise, Anubhav focuses on enabling founders who need more than just funding: they need guidance to navigate complex systems. His vision is to make Virtual Slaps a launchpad for ambitious entrepreneurs, turning early ideas into impactful ventures that thrive at the intersection of innovation, regulation, and market growth.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic leader in innovation and startup ecosystems.
Location: Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Experience: 11 yrs 6 mos
Career Highlights
- Over a decade of experience in innovation strategy.
- Led national programs in AI and cybersecurity.
- Founder of a unique startup accelerator for early-stage ventures.
Work Experience
Wadhwani Foundation
Startup Advisor (5 mos)
Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Member-Private Equity & Venture Capital (PEVC) Committee (10 mos)
CS India (Chhatra Sansad)
Strategic Advisor (11 mos)
TiE Patna
Charter Member (1 yr)
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Chief Innovation Officer, NIELIT-MeitY, Government of India (1 yr 9 mos)
Committee Member (Advisory Role), NIELIT-MeitY, Government of India (7 mos)
Questbook
Chief Evangelist (6 mos)
Woxsen University
Executive Fellow & Visiting Faculty (3 yrs)
Headstart Network Foundation
Lead, East & North-East India (8 mos)
City Lead, Hyderabad (Telangana) (2 yrs 9 mos)
City Lead, Startup Saturday, Headstart Hyderabad (1 yr 10 mos)
Institute of Engineering and Technology
Vice President, Institution's Innovation Council (3 yrs 9 mos)
SucSEED Ventures
Gaming Sectoral Committee (1 yr 1 mo)
Code For India Foundation
Member of The Board of Advisors (3 yrs 11 mos)
CIE IIIT Hyderabad
Head - Deeptech & Medtech (Ojas BioNest) Incubator (1 yr 9 mos)
Head - Deeptech Incubator (1 yr 7 mos)
Head- Incubation & Corporate Innovation (10 mos)
Head- Community, Corporate Initiatives & Outreach (7 mos)
Head, Community and Outreach (6 mos)
Community Operations & Outreach (2 mos)
India HCI 2019
General Chair (5 mos)
Association of MSMEs in Information Technology (AIM-IT)
Chief Executive Officer (11 mos)
Indywood Film Carnival
Advisory Board Member (9 yrs 1 mo)
The Entrepreneur Zone (TEZ)
Co Founder & Chief Operating Officer (1 yr 8 mos)
Virtual Slaps
Founder (11 yrs 2 mos)
Zen SkillProc
Intern, Business Operations (7 mos)
Education
PGDM - BIF at Institute of Public Enterprise
B.B.A (H) at West Bengal University of Technology, Kolkata
