Bengaluru, NFAPost: In a significant move towards fostering innovation and growth in India’s deep tech startup ecosystem, the National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) Consortium has announced the release of its draft policy for public consultation. Spearheaded by the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC), the Consortium comprises high-level representatives from various government bodies and industry associations.
Chaired by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, the National Consortium has worked diligently to formulate a comprehensive policy framework addressing the needs and challenges of deep tech startups in the country. The policy aims to complement the existing Startup India initiatives and create a conducive environment for deep tech startups to thrive.
The draft policy, available for public feedback until September 15, 2023, encompasses crucial themes crucial to nurturing and sustaining the deep tech ecosystem. These themes include nurturing research, development, and innovation, strengthening the intellectual property regime, facilitating access to funding, enabling shared infrastructure and resource sharing, creating conducive regulations, attracting human resources, and promoting procurement and adoption.
The formulation of this policy has been an inclusive and extensive process involving multiple stakeholders. It began with priority-setting meetings at the National Consortium and Working Group level, followed by consultative workshops in key innovation and incubation centres in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. Additionally, multi-stakeholder roundtables, focused group discussions, and interviews with thought leaders and experts in the field have played a pivotal role in shaping the policy’s framework.
With inputs from over 200 stakeholders from both within and outside the deep tech startup ecosystem, the draft NDTSP aims to provide a robust and relevant policy framework that meets the needs and aspirations of the stakeholders involved.
The policy is expected to introduce new policy instruments and recommend necessary changes to create a favourable environment for deep tech startups. By addressing unique and complex challenges, the NDTSP seeks to enhance research, innovation, and collaboration in the sector.
As the public consultation period progresses, the Consortium will carefully review the inputs received and incorporate further recommendations into the final policy document. The revised draft is now available for review on the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser’s website (www.psa.gov.in/deep-tech-policy).
The NDTSP represents a significant step towards bolstering India’s deep tech startup ecosystem and fostering an environment conducive to technological advancements and innovation. By encouraging public participation and seeking diverse perspectives, the policy aims to create a robust and inclusive framework that propels India’s deep tech startups towards global recognition and success.
