The Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Rajesh Kumar Singh has revealed the Government of India’s plans to introduce a dedicated policy aimed at fostering deep-tech startups. Singh disclosed that the government is currently in the advanced stages of crafting a specialized policy framework specifically tailored to support deep-tech startups. He indicated that the policy paper is undergoing final discussions among various ministries and expressed optimism about its imminent release. Additionally, he outlined plans for the subsequent establishment of a dedicated fund-of-funds to further support these innovative ventures.
He added ‘The policy paper is in the final stages of inter-ministerial discussion and we hope to bring it forward soon and after that we will move forward towards creating a dedicated fund-of-funds again.’ Emphasizing the importance of government support for startups, he highlighted that beyond funding, startups require orders from the government to kickstart their journey effectively. He underscored the role of government procurement in providing the initial traction necessary for startups to flourish. He remarked ‘Startups, more than funding, they need orders from government to give them that start that they deserve’.
Singh also celebrated India’s status as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, acknowledging its significance as a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the nation’s development. He emphasized that India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem aligns with the Prime Minister’s overarching goal of transforming the country into a developed nation by 2047, rallying all segments of society towards this common objective. Singh stated ‘We have the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world.’