The government is drafting a new policy to boost deep-tech start-ups in India. Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Sood said that the policy will focus on three key areas:
- Encouraging women to start and lead deep-tech companies. The policy will offer incentives to venture capitalists to invest in women-led start-ups. It will also set up mentoring and training programs for women entrepreneurs.
- Ensuring access to critical minerals. Deep-tech start-ups often need access to critical minerals, such as lithium and cobalt, which are essential for the production of batteries and other technologies. The policy will look at ways to secure India’s supply of these minerals.
- Promoting collaboration between start-ups and the government. The policy will encourage start-ups to work with government agencies on projects that have the potential to benefit society. This could include projects in areas such as healthcare, energy, and infrastructure.
Sood said that the government is committed to creating an environment that is conducive to the growth of deep-tech start-ups in India. He said that the new policy will help to make India a global hub for deep-tech innovation.
In addition to the three key areas mentioned above, the policy is also expected to include measures to:
- Promote research and development in deep-tech areas.
- Attract foreign investment in deep-tech start-ups.
- Create a pool of skilled talent in deep-tech.
The policy is still in the draft stage, and it is expected to be finalised in the coming months.
