India Launches New Centre to Propel Deep-Tech Entrepreneurship
India’s advancement in technology took a notable leap forward with the inauguration of the DST–NIDHI Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). Funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) with a substantial investment of approximately ₹40 crore, the centre was officially dedicated to the nation by Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences.
The CoE, situated in a newly constructed building within the IIM Ahmedabad campus, is envisioned as a national hub for fostering deep-tech entrepreneurship, facilitating technology translation, and stimulating venture creation. This initiative is designed to offer startups and entrepreneurs a unique interdisciplinary advantage, promoting collaboration among technology experts, management professionals, and industry stakeholders within a cohesive ecosystem.
A Transition to Technology Leadership
During the inauguration, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized India’s transformation from a phase of incremental technology adoption to one of deep science-led, technology-driven development over the past decade. He articulated that the focus has now shifted towards growth propelled by deep technology, where fundamental research is harnessed to create scalable, market-ready solutions.
“Deep technology is not merely a trend; it is a national necessity. The future of India’s growth, its strategic autonomy, and global competitiveness hinge on our ability to translate scientific insights into practical solutions,” stated the Minister.
The Role of Educational Institutions
Dr. Singh underlined the pivotal role that institutions like IIM Ahmedabad play in this ecosystem. With their robust foundations in management excellence and national ethos, they are essential for ensuring that scientific innovations are backed by effective commercialization strategies. He stressed that technology and management must go hand-in-hand to achieve optimal results; together, they create the foundation for sustainable innovation.
Features of the New Centre
The DST–NIDHI CoE at IIM-A boasts an extensive venture-creation space covering 59,000 square feet. It is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including venture creation labs, collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, training areas, and networking zones. This environment is tailored to support early-stage startups, deep-tech founders, investors, students, and institutional partners, effectively bridging the gap from lab to market.
Democratizing Innovation
Highlighting the importance of democratizing innovation, Dr. Singh noted that nearly half of India’s startups now emerge from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. This challenges the perception that innovation is exclusive to metropolitan areas. Enhanced digital access, a growing network of incubators, and supportive policy frameworks have empowered talent nationwide to contribute to India’s innovation narrative.
India’s Global Standing
Referring to India’s ascending global positioning, the Minister pointed out that the country now ranks among the top three startup ecosystems worldwide. This growth is mirrored by a significant increase in patent filings, scientific publications, and innovation driven by local talent. These successes underscore years of concentrated efforts to enhance scientific capacity and develop a vibrant ecosystem.
New Collaborative Initiatives
The launch also featured the introduction of “Translation Endeavours,” a multi-institutional collaborative platform aimed at tackling the complex challenges of technology translation in deep-tech sectors. This initiative seeks to dismantle barriers between academia, industry, and government, fostering shared resources, coordinated incubation efforts, and aligned pathways for innovation.
Encouragement for Collaboration
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Singh urged researchers, students, industry leaders, investors, and academic institutions to forge close collaborations. He reiterated that the future of innovation in India relies not just on creative ideas but on the commitment, integrity, and effective application of science for societal benefits. “Dream boldly, but build responsibly. The nation stands ready to support your ideas with policies, funding, institutions, and trust,” he affirmed.
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