India’s progress in establishing a globally competitive deep tech ecosystem hinges on factors like patient capital, increased domestic demand, and closer collaboration among industry, government, and research, highlighted by prominent Indian American CEOs. The dialogue, held at the Hopkins India Conference 2026, focused on evaluating the barriers impeding India’s innovation aspirations.
Vivek Lall, CEO of General Atomics Global Corporation, emphasized India’s significant asset in its human capital, citing talent as a key advantage that surpasses many nations. He emphasized the pivotal role of startups in driving innovation, particularly in sectors like defense and aerospace, where they bring fresh ideas and energy.
Girish Rishi, CEO of Cognite, acknowledged India’s structural strengths but noted the challenge of weak enterprise technology adoption. He stressed the importance of domestic demand in propelling startup growth, urging large Indian companies to become anchor clients to boost scaling efforts.
Raj Iyer, president of Global Public Sector Markets at T-Second, pointed out the formidable obstacles faced by deep tech ventures compared to software companies. He highlighted the necessity for the government to not only fund but also be an early adopter of deep tech innovations, underscoring the significance of policies like “Make in India.”
Seema Chaturvedi, Founder of Achieving Women Equity Funds, discussed the unsuitability of traditional venture capital models for deep tech ventures, advocating for a more patient and diverse capital approach that includes government and philanthropic funding. She also emphasized the importance of addressing execution risks in addition to technological challenges.
The panelists also highlighted India’s cost advantage and frugal innovation approach, enabling companies to develop products at lower costs compared to global standards. However, they stressed the need for stronger partnerships between startups and established industrial players to scale these innovations effectively.
India’s startup ecosystem has witnessed rapid growth, supported by digital infrastructure, policy reforms, and increased investments. The next phase’s success will rely on transforming innovative ideas into globally competitive businesses, especially in critical sectors like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and defense technologies, where India aims to play a more significant role in global value chains.
