PitchX @ ESTIC 2025 Showcases India’s DeepTech Potential

IN NEWS:

PitchX @ ESTIC 2025 Showcases India’s DeepTech Potential

• Event Overview:
  • The second day of the Emerging Science & Technology Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 featured PitchX @ ESTIC 2025, a major platform for DeepTech startups and investors.
  • The event highlighted India’s growing DeepTech ecosystem, aimed at converting scientific innovation into market-ready, scalable solutions.
• Participants and Key Stakeholders:
  • 20+ pioneering startups presented their breakthrough technologies to investors from Peak XV Partners, Yournest, FAST India, IIMA Ventures, and Silver Needle Ventures (SNV) Fund.
  • 30 DeepTech startups were showcased, nominated by various Central Ministries and Departments — emphasizing a whole-of-government approach to innovation.
• Government Initiatives Highlighted:
  • Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the role of industry linkages and investor engagement in nurturing DeepTech innovation.
  • The Minister referred to the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, which aims to incentivize private sector R&D investment and strengthen the DeepTech value chain.
  • Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), detailed the RDI Scheme’s implementation framework and announced initial investment deployments via DST and Technology Development Board (TDB).
• Sectors Represented:
  • The showcased startups span cutting-edge sectors including:
    • Space & Defence
    • Quantum Technologies
    • Cybersecurity
    • Health & Life Sciences
    • Semiconductors
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Industry 4.0
    • Water & Agritech
• Key Startups Featured:
  • EndureAir Systems, Atreya Innovations, Lifespark Technologies, Noccarc Robotics, and FortyTwo Labs emerged as highly investable ventures.
  • The showcase also underlined women-led innovation, reinforcing India’s commitment to inclusive tech entrepreneurship.
• Strategic Significance:
  • PitchX @ ESTIC 2025 positions itself as a critical enabler in linking DeepTech innovation with investment ecosystems.
  • It reflects India’s larger policy push toward an innovation-driven economy, emphasizing indigenization, IP creation, and tech self-reliance.

STATIC PART (FOR UPSC REVISION)

• DeepTech:
  • Refers to technologies based on advanced scientific or engineering innovation, including AI, quantum computing, robotics, biotechnology, and semiconductors.
  • Requires long-term R&D investment and often drives strategic national capability building.
• Emerging Science & Technology Innovation Conclave (ESTIC):
  • A national-level platform bringing together scientists, startups, investors, and policymakers to promote DeepTech collaboration and commercialization.
  • Focuses on fostering science-based entrepreneurship under India’s innovation missions.
• RDI Scheme (Research, Development and Innovation Scheme):
  • Launched by the Government of India to create a ₹1 lakh crore corpus for promoting private sector participation in R&D.
  • Supports DeepTech, high-impact innovation, and IP-led growth across sectors.
• Technology Development Board (TDB):
  • A statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
  • Provides financial assistance to commercialize indigenous technologies and support startups.

Updated – 06 Nov 2025 ; 2:09 PM | News Source: DD News