Why in news?

• In 2025, Indian deeptech startups raised over $1 billion in funding, a doubling from the previous year, showing increasing investor confidence.
• This sector spans advanced technologies such as semiconductors, space and defense tech, life sciences, AI, robotics, and climate tech.

Key Aspects of India’s Deeptech Startup Ecosystem:

• Government Push: Policies such as the RDI scheme and National Mission on Quantum Technologies actively support innovation and investment in deeptech.
• Funding Growth: Deeptech startups attracted $900 million investments in the first half of 2025 alone, and total funding crossed $1 billion by mid-year.
• Innovation Hubs: Major technology campuses like IIT Madras have spawned large numbers of deeptech startups and patents.
• Diverse Sectors: Covering AI, space, robotics, semiconductors, quantum tech, healthcare, agri-tech, and telecom innovations.
• Notable Startups: Examples include Cogknit Semantics, Atreya Innovations, EndureAir Systems, Streamoid Technologies, and others pioneering solutions in their domains.
• Global Recognition: India ranks 6th globally in the deeptech ecosystem, positioning to become a science-led innovation economy by 2047.

India's Deeptech Startup Initiatives

• PitchX @ ESTIC 2025: Showcased 30 breakthrough deeptech startups in sectors like Space & Defence, Quantum Technologies, Cybersecurity, Health, Semiconductors, AI, AgriTech, and Industry 4.0.​
• ₹1 Lakh Crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme: Launched to incentivize private sector participation and fund projects in energy, quantum computing, robotics, space tech, biotech, and AI, supporting deeptech startups with long-term loans and equity infusions.​
• Investment Alliance with Global Firms: Nvidia joined as a founding member in a $2 billion deeptech investment alliance mentoring AI startups in India. Qualcomm Ventures and US-Indian VCs contributed over $850 million to boost India's deeptech ecosystem over the next 5-10 years.​
• Focus on Industry Linkages and Investor Engagement: Government emphasis on early industry linkages and sustained investor participation to accelerate deeptech commercialization.​

Major Global Tech Collaborations

• Airbus: Expanding manufacturing and sourcing aircraft components worth $2 billion by 2030 in India, also collaborating with Tata Advanced Systems on military transport aircraft for Indian Air Force.​
• Microsoft: Committed $3 billion in next two years for cloud and AI infrastructure expansion in India, with growing data center capacity.​
• Apple & Foxconn: Apple significantly ramped up iPhone production in India, with Foxconn investing $1.48 billion and building new manufacturing plants including a semiconductor unit in Uttar Pradesh.​
• Amazon: Invested $11 billion over a decade, with $8.2 billion upcoming investments in cloud infrastructure and AI-driven local data storage in Maharashtra.​
• Samsung: Running two of the world's largest mobile manufacturing plants in India, looking to expand and diversify beyond Vietnam.​
• NTT Data: Developed next-gen network tech connecting major data centers in India and surrounding regions, supporting AI mission with high-capacity submarine cables.​
• Bharat 6G Alliance: Established 10 global partnerships targeting 10% of worldwide 6G patents by 2030.​

This comprehensive support system is fostering an emerging class of high-impact startups aimed at complex scientific problems with potential for significant national and global impact.

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