Startup Policy Forum launches #100DesiDeepTechs to identify and support India’s top 100 deeptech startups
The programme is being run in collaboration with Startup India - DPIIT, MEITY Startup Hub, and IIT-Madras.
In a move to accelerate India’s deeptech sector, the Startup Policy Forum (SPF) has launched #100DesiDeepTechs, a national initiative to identify and support 100 of the country’s most promising deeptech startups.
The programme is being run in collaboration with Startup India - DPIIT, MEITY Startup Hub, and IIT-Madras.
Targeting startups working across 12 strategic deeptech domains, including semiconductors, defence technologies, quantum technologies, green hydrogen, space technologies, drones, electric vehicles, biotechnology, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and communications infrastructure, the initiative aims to foster structured policy engagement and develop sector-specific regulatory recommendations.
“100DesiDeepTechs is our vision to identify, mentor, and elevate India’s most promising deeptech startups and support them with enabling policy frameworks. We are committed to supporting the government’s initiatives to strengthen the deeptech ecosystem, including the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme and the dedicated DeepTech Fund of Funds—both designed to scale R&D in critical sectors,” said, Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO, Startup Policy Forum.
Startups selected for the cohort will participate in closed-door dialogues with policymakers, investors, regulators, industry leaders, and academic institutions. Insights from these interactions will feed into a comprehensive white paper outlining regulatory bottlenecks and opportunities across deeptech sectors.
The policy whitepaper will be unveiled at “Deeptech Baithak,” a high-level gathering of 100 stakeholders, including founders, investors, and government representatives. A mentor board comprising founders, investors, technical experts, and policymakers will support the cohort with strategic guidance and access to networks.
“India’s deeptech capabilities are critical to our ambition of becoming a global innovation hub. #100DesiDeepTechs is a timely and targeted initiative that will accelerate our efforts by fostering policy clarity, nurturing breakthrough ideas, and building a strong pipeline of world-class startups,” says Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT.
The selection process is being led by IIT-Madras, while Ikigai Law will draft the policy whitepaper. The initiative is being executed by policy consulting firm Kaio, with inputs from sectoral experts and deeptech-focused investors.
The initiative will also lay the foundation for SPF’s upcoming Centre for Deeptech Policy Research (CDPR), which aims to institutionalise ongoing policy dialogue and support for India’s deeptech innovation ecosystem.
SPF represents over 50 of India’s startups with a combined valuation exceeding $80 billion, including companies across fintech, manufacturing, AI, and deeptech.
Edited by Jyoti Narayan