TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025 Showcases India’s Deep-Tech Vision

TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025, India's largest deeptech summit, set the tone for one of the nation’s most significant science and technology developments — the launch of the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Emerging Science and Technology Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025.

At the two-day TiEcon Delhi-NCR, a keynote fireside conversation titled “Quantum Leap: Accelerating India’s Tech Sovereignty” brought together Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology (DST- GOI), and Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi-NCR. The discussion highlighted India’s focus on strengthening deep-tech capabilities through collaborative R&D, private sector participation, and startup-led innovation - a vision that aligns closely with the objectives of the newly launched RDI Fund.

Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, GOI said, “India stands at a defining moment in its deep-tech journey. The Research, Development and Innovation Fund is a first-of-its-kind initiative to empower corporates, industries, and startups across sunrise sectors such as quantum, AI, semiconductors, biotech, and advanced manufacturing. With liberalized norms and a two-tier fund management model, it aims to catalyse private sector R&D, promote IP creation within India, and strengthen our path toward technological sovereignty. The government’s role is to enable, not control - fostering risk-taking and long-term R&D investment that builds India’s innovation strength.”

Sharing his perspective, Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi-NCR, said,  “India’s ambition to achieve tech sovereignty depends on uniting scientific excellence with entrepreneurial execution. By deepening collaboration between academia, research, and startups, we can turn cutting-edge discoveries into world-class products. TiE Delhi-NCR continues to be a catalyst for this ecosystem, connecting innovators, investors, and policymakers to drive India’s next wave of technological breakthroughs.”

The session followed the inaugural keynote by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce and Industries, who emphasised the government’s vision to build a deep-tech ecosystem powered by innovation and youth engagement.

Organised by TiE Delhi-NCR, TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025 brought together policymakers, investors, founders, and global thought leaders to discuss India’s next growth frontier in technology and entrepreneurship. For over 25 years, TiE Delhi-NCR has been a driving force in India’s innovation landscape, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and investment that continue to shape the country’s transformation into a global innovation powerhouse.