From Adoption to Leadership: How India’s Deep-Tech Ambition is Being Forged at IIMA Ventures Summit 2026
On the vibrant campus of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), a pivotal message for the nation’s future was delivered. Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, addressing a powerhouse gathering at the IIMA Ventures Summit 2026, articulated a fundamental shift: India is moving decisively from technology adoption to genuine technology leadership. His keynote wasn’t merely aspirational; it was a strategic blueprint, identifying deep-tech innovation as the core engine of this transition, powered by robust institutions and seamless research translation.
The summit, held on January 12–13, became the tangible manifestation of this vision, assembling over 900 founders, investors, alumni, and policymakers to architect the next phase of #StartupIndia. The atmosphere crackled with the conviction that the future belongs not to incremental apps, but to foundational technologies solving India’s—and the world’s—most complex challenges.
Building the Foundation: The ₹40 Crore Catalyst
The most significant announcement, one set to reshape Gujarat’s and India’s innovation geography, was the inauguration of the ₹40 crore NIDHI Centre of Excellence (CoE) at IIMA Ventures. Funded by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), this is more than a grant; it’s a strategic infrastructure investment.
This CoE is designed to be the critical missing link in the deep-tech value chain. It will provide specialized incubation, access to high-end prototyping labs, regulatory navigation support, and curated connections to patient capital for early-stage startups working in areas like quantum computing, advanced materials, robotics, and biotech. By de-risking the perilous journey from lab to market, the centre promises to significantly amplify the pipeline of investible, high-impact ventures.
Accelerating Translation: From Research to Real-World Impact
Complementing the foundational support of the NIDHI CoE was the launch of multi-institutional Translational Endeavours. Recognizing that scale-ups face different, often steeper, challenges than early-stage startups, these endeavors are structured to provide concentrated support in critical national priority sectors: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Space Tech, Healthcare, and Sustainable Energy.
This initiative aims to break down silos between academia, research institutions (like ISRO’s Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad), industry, and venture capital. The goal is systematic and swift translation of India’s formidable research output into deployable products and globally competitive companies.
The Ahmedabad Advantage: A Thriving Deep-Tech Cluster
The summit’s location in Ahmedabad was symbolic. The city is rapidly evolving into a specialized #SpaceTech and deep-tech cluster, anchored by the presence of IN-SPACe (India’s private space regulator and promoter) and ISRO’s SAC. This creates a unique gravitational pull for startups, talent, and suppliers in the aerospace domain. The discussions highlighted how such geographical clusters, supported by focused policy and institutional strength, are essential for deep-tech ecosystems to thrive, moving beyond isolated successes to create synergistic industrial hubs.
Panels of Consequence: Steering Innovation Responsibly
Beyond funding and infrastructure, the summit engaged with the profound responsibilities accompanying technological leadership. Panel discussions on responsible AI, sustainable energy transitions, and healthcare innovation addressed the crucial “how”—ensuring that India’s tech ascent is inclusive, ethical, and environmentally conscious. The exhibition of 30+ deep-tech startups provided concrete proof of concept, showcasing tangible solutions in these very fields.
Conclusion: The Leadership Mandate for a New India
The IIMA Ventures Summit 2026 served as a powerful inflection point. It moved the conversation beyond celebrating startup numbers to scrutinizing their technological depth and global impact. Dr. Singh’s message, backed by the launch of the NIDHI CoE and Translational Endeavours, signals a maturing government approach: one that is building the specialized plumbing required for deep-tech to flourish.
With #IIMA’s legacy of strategic management melding with cutting-edge scientific ambition, a powerful formula is emerging. The convergence of smart capital, institutional heft, academic brilliance, and entrepreneurial grit—showcased so vividly at this summit—is what will propel India from being a backend powerhouse to a front-end innovator. The era of #IndiaTechLeadership in deep-tech is not a distant promise; it is a project that is now actively, and compellingly, under construction.
