DST Launches Program for Deep-Tech Startups at IIT Madras

Union Minister of State (I/C) Dr. Jitendra Singh said here today that in the years to come, women-led StartUps will place India in the global arena.

The Minister was speaking after virtually inaugurating 8 new NIDHI i-TBIs across India along with a new DST-NIDHI Website today at IIT Delhi celebrating 8 years of Department of Science and Technology’s initiative (DST-NIDHI).

The 8 new NIDHI Inclusive TBI’s (i-TBIs0 have been set up at different locations across the country ie.1. Central University of Rajasthan Ajmer.2. Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Ludhiana, Punjab 3. BLDE Bijapur, Karnataka 4. Aligarh Muslim University 5. Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 6. Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (Central University) Bilaspur, 7. GSSS Institute of Engineering and Technology for Women Mysore, Karnataka 8. University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES) Dehradun,)

i-TBIs (Inclusive TBI) is a three years duration initiative Supported by DST for educational institutions who are likely to foster innovation and entrepreneurship culture among the students, faculties, entrepreneurs, and nearby communities.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the DST-GDC IIT Madras INCUBATE Program for Deep Tech Startups. The GDC has been funded by grants from three illustrious alumni of IIT Madras Dr. Gururaj Deshpande, Mrs. Jaishree Deshpande and Mr. ‘Kris’ Gopalakrishnan. These initiatives are designed to extend our support to innovators largely from Tier II & Tier III cities and provide targeted assistance to Start-ups at critical stages of growth.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Dr. Jitendra Singh recalled the guidance of Prime Minister Modi for the Modi’s Startup India Stand up India Initiative under which in 2016 DST launched NIDHI. Highlighting the essentiality he said, “NIDHI initiative was in response to a critical need identified within India’s innovation ecosystem to bridge the gap between our academic institutions and industry. As institutes were producing world-class research there was a need to translate these ideas into market-ready products. He also emphasised on the early-industry linkage of StartUps for success. He guided that technological advancements with AI, Quantum Computing, and New Energy have the potential of innovation to transform today’s Bharat into Bharat of the future.

The Science and technology Minister traced back its journey since its inception in 2016 and remarked that DST’s Nidhi program plays a pivotal role in strengthening Startup Ecosystem and plays a crucial role in nurturing a vast number of technology StartUps, of which a substantial proportion is led by women entrepreneurs.

Mentioning the details Dr. Singh said that the program offers a comprehensive stage-wise support structure that is tailored to the unique dynamics of academic environments. Through initiatives like the NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) and NIDHI PRAYAS programs.

Dr. Jitendra Singh shared that these ventures have created numerous jobs and have led to a thriving culture of innovation, resulting in the generation of a substantial number of intellectual properties.

Highlighting the substantial economic success achieved reflecting the program's impact on India's growth and self-reliance. Dr. Singh said “Celebration of 8 years of the NIDHI underscores Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to empower Women entrepreneurs and extend financial inclusion”

Emphasizing India's roadmap to become a Viksit Bharat by 2047 with Startups playing a crucial role in the journey, Dr. Singh Said “PM Modi has laid out the vision of Indian StartUps leading the global innovation race with women-led Startups at the forefront across sectors. He also reiterated the Prime Minister's quote that those startUps which succeed in India will succeed elsewhere.

Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored that NIDHI ensures that intellectual pursuits do not remain confined to laboratories but reach the market, making impactful changes.

Dr. Jitendra Singh directed all innovators to work together and make a tangible contribution to realise the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.