National, July 3, 2025 — In a major step to propel India’s deeptech landscape, the Startup Policy Forum (SPF) has launched #100DesiDeepTechs, a groundbreaking national initiative aimed at identifying and empowering the country’s top 100 deeptech startups. The program is being launched in collaboration with Startup India–DPIIT, MEITY Startup Hub, and IIT Madras.
Designed to catalyze sectoral growth and policy evolution, the initiative seeks to bring together key stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and capital to strengthen India’s deeptech ecosystem.
Nationwide Call for Applications
Applications are now open to early-stage and growth-stage startups across the country. Selected ventures will gain access to curated closed-door dialogues with policymakers, investors, regulators, and technical institutions. These engagements will culminate in a comprehensive policy whitepaper, offering regulatory and operational recommendations across emerging deeptech sectors.
Strategic Focus Areas
#100DesiDeepTechs will focus on startups innovating in high-impact domains such as:
- Semiconductors & Advanced Electronics
- Defence and Aerospace Technologies
- Quantum Computing
- Green Hydrogen & CleanTech
- SpaceTech
- Drones & Unmanned Systems
- EV & Battery Innovation
- Biotech & MedTech
- Robotics & Autonomous Systems
- Communications Infrastructure
- Advanced Manufacturing
A Mentor Board comprising leading founders, investors, policymakers, and domain experts will guide the selected startups and help them access strategic networks and technical support.
Toward Policy Change: Deeptech Baithak
Insights generated during the program will inform a flagship policy whitepaper, scheduled for launch at Deeptech Baithak—a high-level gathering of 100 founders, investors, and policymakers. The initiative will also lay the groundwork for SPF’s upcoming Centre for Deeptech Policy Research (CDPR) to institutionalize ongoing sectoral engagement.
Stakeholder Endorsements
Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President & CEO of SPF, stated: “This initiative is our commitment to scale India’s most promising deeptech startups with enabling policy frameworks. It aligns with national efforts like the ₹1 lakh crore RDI scheme and the DeepTech Fund of Funds.”
Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, noted: “India’s deeptech potential is vital to achieving global innovation leadership. #100DesiDeepTechs comes at a critical moment to shape that future through thoughtful policy intervention.”
Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO of MeitY Startup Hub, added: “Deeptech is the next frontier. We are proud to help identify science-first startups that can serve national and strategic priorities.”
Prof. Thillai Rajan of IIT Madras remarked: “We’re proud to lead the selection process and contribute academic and ecosystem insights to this high-impact collaboration.”
Operational Framework
- Startup selection to be led by IIT Madras
- Policy Whitepaper to be authored by SPF’s legal knowledge partner Ikigai Law
- Program management to be handled by policy consultancy Kaio
- Investor and ecosystem partnerships to be announced soon
The whitepaper will focus on actionable insights to foster innovation, regulatory clarity, workforce upskilling, and market creation in the deeptech space.
Startups can apply for the program by writing to secretariat@indiaspf.org with the subject line “100DesiDeepTechs”.
