MB
Director at CFT
Mr. Balakrishna L.
25 years of deep industry experience across verticals.
About CFT
A global hub for emerging and converging technologies.
Center for Future Tech (CFT) is a pioneering global hub dedicated to accelerating innovation in emerging and converging technologies by integrating education, skilling, frontier research, industry collaboration, and international partnerships.
What CFT Is
From learning and research to skills, prototypes, IP, and venture-scale startups.
CFT aims to enable millions of learners to build future-ready capabilities through high-quality, industry-relevant deep-tech programs across AI, Quantum, Space, Biotechnology, Robotics, Healthcare, FinTech, AgriTech, and other converging technologies.
CFT nurtures deep-tech talent and drives industry co-innovation while supporting the full entrepreneurial lifecycle — from learning and research to skills, prototypes, intellectual property, and venture-scale startups — creating an ecosystem built to help solve major global challenges.
About BESTIU
Bharatiya Engineering Science and Technology Innovation University
CFT operates as a platform inside BEST Innovation University (BESTIU) — a private university established under the AP Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act No. 3 of 2016, notified under Act No. 6 of 2019, with UGC Section 2(f) recognition.
Location
Mandrol Lakeside region, Sathya Sai District, Andhra Pradesh — about 1.5 hours from Bengaluru International Airport.
Campus
200+ acres.
Built-up space
Over 3.5 lakh sq. ft.
Schools
Six schools under the university.
Infrastructure
State-of-the-art, eco-friendly, zero-carbon-footprint campus.
Vision
To create a world-class social impact conglomerate where learning is accessible and affordable, innovators are nurtured, and transformative ideas are incubated — producing not just graduates, but IP, prototypes, and startups.
Leadership
The people guiding CFT.
AS
Scientific Chair
Dr. Ashutosh Sharma
Institute Chair Professor at IIT Kanpur and a distinguished leader in science and technology policy. Former Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Former President, Indian National Science Academy (INSA). Brings deep expertise in research, innovation, and national-level technology leadership to guide CFT's vision.
RV
Founder & Chancellor
Dr. Rupa Vasudevan
An educationist, sociopreneur, and visionary leader. Founder and Chancellor of BESTIU — an AP state private university established in 2018 under the AP State Private Universities Act.
BL
Founder & Chairman
Shri Bharat Lal Meena, IAS (Rtd.)
A distinguished retired IAS officer with over 32 years of service across departments of the Government of India and Government of Karnataka. Chairman of BESTIU.