How Indian Startups Are Leading in Deep Tech

How Indian Startups Are Leading in Deep Tech

 

India’s Deep Tech Momentum Is Irresistible
India is undergoing a profound transformation as a global centre for deep tech innovation. In the first four months of 2025, deep‑tech startups raised a remarkable $324 million—more than double the amount raised during the same period in 2024. This surge reflects heightened investor confidence in technologies addressing critical global needs.

Government Support Is Anchoring Progress
India has placed deep tech at the top of its national agenda. The 2025 federal budget allocated approximately ₹10,372 crore (around $1.25 billion) to the IndiaAI Mission, which includes the establishment of a shared computing infrastructure built around over 18,000 GPUs. This powerful compute backbone accelerates AI model development, supporting faster iteration cycles while keeping costs competitive.

Regional Innovation Centres Are Blooming
While Bangalore continues to dominate the innovation landscape, centres like Chennai are capturing attention too. Startups in Chennai completed nearly 95 funding rounds in 2024, raising around $796 million. This decentralization strengthens the ecosystem, allowing companies to leverage regional academic institutions, skilled talent pools, and manufacturing capabilities.

Semiconductors Are Becoming Home‑Grown
India’s semiconductor ambitions are becoming increasingly tangible. Mindgrove Technologies recently tape‑out its first 28‑nanometer AI‑IoT chip based on the RISC‑V architecture. This milestone signals India’s shift from software focus to chip design and fabrication—areas previously controlled by global giants.

Aerospace Innovation Is Launching New Possibilities
The nation’s aerospace startups are launching significant breakthroughs. Agnikul Cosmos secured $26.7 million in Series B funding to validate its semi‑cryogenic, 3D‑printed rocket engine. Plans for its Agnibaan small‑satellite launch vehicle are on track, positioning the company as a private‑launch contender.

Hyperspectral Satellite Capability Is Taking Shape
Pixxel is leading India’s space revolution, attracting $95 million in funding. The company launched its third hyperspectral demo satellite in early 2025 and plans to deploy a six‑satellite constellation. Its Earth‑observation systems serve agriculture, environmental monitoring, mining, and urban planning.

Robotics And Automation Are Getting Smarter
AI‑integrated robotics are gaining momentum in India. Firms such as Sastra Robotics are already exporting avionics‑testing systems. Around manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare, intelligent robotics systems are boosting efficiency, precision, and safety.

Biotech And Nanotech Are Ready To Disrupt
India’s life‑science sector is seeing breakthroughs in biotech and nanotechnology. Theranautilus has pioneered nanorobot‑based targeted delivery systems to improve dental and oncology outcomes. Biotech patent filings grew by 15.7 percent in 2023, signalling a rising wave of homegrown innovation.

Sovereign AI And Quantum Readiness Are Gaining Focus
India is investing in indigenous AI infrastructure and quantum capabilities. Sarvam AI was chosen to build India’s first national‑language large‑language model and received access to 4,000 GPUs. Additionally, companies like QpiAI introduced early quantum computing systems, with 25 qubit galvanic compute platforms emerging in early 2025.

Challenges Persist In Scaling Funding
Despite momentum, mid‑to‑late stage funding remains thin. Series A and B rounds dropped 77 percent in 2023 compared to previous years. Currently just 5 percent of startup capital in India supports deep tech, compared with 35 percent in China. Bridging this gap will be essential for future scalability.

India Has Emerged As A Deep Tech Hub
With some 3,600 deep‑tech startups, India now ranks among the world’s top ecosystems. Experts forecast investment could reach $10 billion by 2029, driven by continued government support and increased private investment.

Conclusion: India’s Deep Tech Leadership Has Arrived
India is actively transitioning from imitation to innovation. With public‑private cooperation, academic support, hardware self‑reliance, space achievements, and advanced computing, the country is well‑positioned to excel in deep tech. For innovators and investors, India now offers fertile ground for pioneering technologies that tackle major societal and industrial challenges.

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