Shift from Surface-Level Innovation to DeepTech in India
Recently, the Minister for Commerce and Industry highlighted the need for India to transition from surface-level innovations to DeepTech. This shift is crucial, as the current startup ecosystem in India largely relies on business model innovations, such as food delivery apps, e-commerce, and fintech platforms.
Understanding DeepTech
- Definition: Involves technologies grounded in scientific discovery, engineering excellence, and fundamental research.
- Components: Includes AI, robotics, IoT, and drones, as well as material science, power electronics, advanced manufacturing, and molecular drug research.
- Examples: Lightweight and durable drones rely on material science; China's advancement in battery tech is due to investments in core chemistry and engineering.
The Five Core Pillars for DeepTech
- Product Mindset: Need for globally recognized products conceived in India. The current product creation DNA remains weak.
- R&D Culture: Requires a focus on long-term thinking and founders with technical expertise, inspired by companies like Google and Microsoft.
- Educational Ecosystem:
- Shift focus from tool-based training to foundational understanding.
- Encourage multidisciplinary collaboration and academia-industry partnerships.
- Technical Depth: Indian education should emulate models like MIT, focusing on core theory before tools.
- Supportive Government Policies: Need for rational funding criteria and shared facilities for prototyping and testing.
Role of Government and Institutions
The government must support DeepTech by providing access to fabrication labs and testing centers. Institutions like the National Research Development Corporation need to have more rational qualifying criteria for funding, emphasizing technical depth and potential impact.
In conclusion, for India to lead in DeepTech, a coordinated effort is needed. Founders should deepen their technical expertise, educational institutions must prioritize fundamental and interdisciplinary learning, and the government should offer comprehensive support to build world-class DeepTech products.