Pokémon Corporate Officer Susumu Fukunaga Details Strategy Behind Massive IIT Bombay Techfest Drone Show

The Pokémon Company made a significant strategic move at IIT Bombay’s Techfest 2025, deploying a large-scale drone show and interactive zones designed to engage India’s massive pool of tech-focused university students. Corporate Officer Susumu Fukunaga confirmed the brand’s focus during an exclusive interview at the festival, explaining the goal is to cultivate a dedicated, long-term fanbase in the region.

The three-day festival ran from December 22 through the 24 on the Powai campus. The opening drew large crowds with a parade of Pikachu dressed in traditional Indian holiday attire. The first day featured trading card setups, Pokémon GO tie-ins, and merchandise sales.

The main attraction debuted after dark: 1,500 drones illuminated the Maharashtra night sky, forming an aerial display that featured Pikachu in a saree and kurta. This marked the first time such a large-scale drone show was held in India, following successful activations in markets like Japan and China.

Fukunaga detailed the strategic choice of venue, stating that direct engagement with college students made IIT Bombay the ideal location. He noted the aim was to establish a community where attendees could discover, share, and interact with Pokémon content. The drone display was intentionally visible beyond the campus perimeter to maximize public exposure.

Looking ahead, Fukunaga stressed the long-term vision involves inspiring these students to eventually contribute creative content back to the Pokémon brand once they enter the professional workforce. Techfest organizer Anurag Etarvi commented that Pokémon provided a distinct level of energy, making it one of the most lively areas of the festival.

This activation follows other recent Indian initiatives, including the Pokémon Mela and extensive meet-and-greets across eight cities. Fukunaga emphasized the importance of these physical, on-ground events for integrating Pokémon into local culture, promising more community experiences nationwide. The event concluded on the 24th.