India’s deeptech movement has taken a significant leap forward with the unveiling of the #100DesiDeepTechs cohort by the Startup Policy Forum (SPF). This initiative, in collaboration with MeitY Startup Hub, Startup India, and IIT Madras, identifies 100 founders working in 10 strategic sectors. The programme aims to integrate India’s frontier-tech entrepreneurs into policy discussions that will shape the country’s innovation trajectory.
### The Founders are Building India’s Hardtech Future
The #100DesiDeepTechs cohort represents a transformative moment in India’s startup ecosystem, which has traditionally been dominated by software ventures. This shift towards deeptech highlights a burgeoning interest in hardware, industrial systems, and scientific technologies. Among the selected startups, biotech and healthtech sectors lead with 24 companies, including renowned names like Dozee, Eka Care, and String Bio. Clean tech and energy also feature prominently, with startups such as AmpereHour Energy and Kazam EV Tech making the list.
Other notable sectors include semiconductors, drones and aerospace, electric vehicles, robotics, defense technology, advanced manufacturing, and quantum computing. Companies like Ather Energy, Ultraviolette, and QNu Labs underscore the diverse and ambitious nature of India’s deeptech landscape. These startups are not just developing software solutions but are also focusing on creating physical products and foundational technologies vital for the country’s technological infrastructure.
### Bringing Deeptech Founders into Policy Conversations
The SPF initiative stands out by directly connecting deeptech founders with policymakers and key ecosystem stakeholders. The selected entrepreneurs will engage in sector-focused consultations and closed-door discussions as part of the DeepTech BaatCheet series. Their insights will contribute to a policy whitepaper developed with Ikigai Law, addressing critical issues like regulation, access to capital, talent shortages, and strategies for global expansion.
Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO of SPF, emphasized that the future of Indian deeptech hinges not only on technological innovation but also on the supportive ecosystems and institutional frameworks. The initiative aims to elevate the role of these founders in shaping national technological goals, which is timely given India’s current focus on advancing its Research, Development, and Innovation Scheme and the dedicated DeepTech Fund of Funds.
### A Powerful Signal for India’s Startup Ecosystem
This initiative sends a powerful signal to India’s startup ecosystem, indicating a supportive environment for deeptech ventures. With the government operationalizing substantial funding schemes, the inclusion of deeptech founders in policy discussions ensures that their challenges and needs are addressed at a national level. This collaboration could potentially accelerate innovation and adoption of cutting-edge technologies across various sectors.
As India continues to invest in its deeptech capabilities, stakeholders will be closely monitoring how these 100 startups leverage the opportunities presented by the SPF initiative. For founders, engineers, and investors, the next steps involve watching how these companies evolve, contribute to policy formation, and shape the technological landscape of India. The success of this initiative could pave the way for future cohorts and further solidify India’s position as a global deeptech hub.
