Spread across nearly 59,000 square feet, the newly established Centre of Excellence is housed in a dedicated block within the IIM Ahmedabad campus. It has been envisioned as a national nerve centre for deep-tech entrepreneurship, venture creation, and technology translation.
The facility brings together scientists, engineers, management experts, investors, and industry partners under a single integrated ecosystem. With venture creation labs, collaborative workspaces, training areas, boardrooms, and networking zones, the Centre is designed to support startups from ideation to commercialisation.
From Incremental Growth to Deep Science-Led Development
Addressing the gathering, Dr Jitendra Singh said India has undergone a fundamental transformation in its approach to innovation over the past decade. The country, he noted, is now firmly focused on deep-tech domains where breakthroughs in fundamental science are translated into scalable solutions.
“Deep technology is not a passing trend. It is a national imperative that will define India’s future growth, strategic autonomy, and global competitiveness,” the Minister said, emphasising the importance of sustained investment in research and innovation.
Why Management Matters for Startups
Highlighting the role of institutions like IIM Ahmedabad, the Minister underlined that good science alone is not sufficient for startup success. Without strong management frameworks, even cutting-edge technologies risk failing to achieve real-world impact.
He stressed that technology and management must move together, noting that integrated platforms such as the DST–NIDHI CoE are essential for nurturing sustainable and commercially viable innovation.
Innovation Beyond Metros
Dr Jitendra Singh also pointed to the democratisation of India’s startup ecosystem. Nearly half of the country’s startups now originate from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, challenging the perception that innovation is confined to major metropolitan centres.
Improved digital access, expanding incubation networks, and supportive policy frameworks have enabled talent from across the country to participate in India’s innovation story, he said.
Strengthening Technology Translation
The launch event also saw the unveiling of “Translation Endeavours,” a collaborative platform bringing together academic institutions, research organisations, industry, and investors to address the critical challenge of technology translation in deep-tech domains.
Government initiatives such as the Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF) and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) were highlighted as key enablers, offering patient and risk-tolerant funding to early-stage deep-tech ventures.
According to the Minister, these efforts have contributed to India’s rise among the world’s top startup ecosystems, alongside steady growth in patent filings and scientific publications.