India’s startup ecosystem has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, evolving from a landscape dominated by e-commerce and consumer tech to one where deep technology innovations rooted in scientific breakthroughs and advanced engineering is taking center stage. DeepTech startups, which leverage cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, quantum computing, space technology, and biotechnology, are redefining India’s role in the global innovation race. With over 3,600 DeepTech startups and a projected 40% CAGR through 2027, India ranks sixth globally among DeepTech ecosystems, driven by academic excellence, government support, and a growing pool of venture capital. This article explores the rise of DeepTech startups in India, the key sectors propelling this growth, the challenges they face, and the trailblazing companies and founders leading the charge.
The DeepTech Boom: Why Now?
The rise of DeepTech in India is no accident. Several converging factors have created a fertile ground for innovation. First, India’s robust STEM education system, anchored by premier institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Science (IISc), produces a steady stream of talent equipped to tackle complex technological challenges. Second, government initiatives like the National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) 2023 and the ₹8,000-crore National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications are fostering a supportive ecosystem. Third, global demand for advanced technologies coupled with India’s cost-effective innovation model has attracted investor interest, with DeepTech funding surging 78% in 2024 alone.
Unlike traditional tech startups that often iterate on existing platforms, DeepTech ventures require long development cycles, significant R&D investment, and patient capital. Yet, their potential for transformative impact is immense, addressing critical challenges in healthcare, defense, sustainability, and more. In 2023, India saw over 450 new DeepTech startups, with AI dominating 74% of new ventures and 86% of funding. Other sectors like space tech, robotics, and semiconductors are also gaining traction, positioning India as a hub for frontier technologies.
Leading DeepTech Sectors in India
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
AI is the cornerstone of India’s DeepTech revolution, accounting for 87% of DeepTech funding in 2024. Startups are moving beyond SaaS models to build infrastructure-level solutions. For instance, Sarvam AI, founded in 2023 by Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar, is developing India-specific large language models (LLMs) to power vernacular AI applications. Their platform, which supports 10 Indian languages, has raised $41 million from investors like Lightspeed and Peak XV, aiming to make AI accessible for India’s diverse linguistic landscape.
Space Technology
India’s space sector is soaring, with private players complementing ISRO’s efforts. Skyroot Aerospace, co-founded by Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, is a standout. Their Vikram-S rocket, India’s first privately developed launch vehicle, successfully reached suborbital space in 2022. Skyroot’s focus on cost-effective, scalable launch solutions has attracted $95 million in funding, positioning it as a global competitor in small satellite launches.
Robotics and Drones
Robotics and drone technology are transforming industries from agriculture to defense. ideaForge, founded by Ankit Mehta, Rahul Singh, and Ashish Bhat, is a leader in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Their drones, used for surveillance and mapping, have secured contracts with the Indian Army. With $20 million raised in its Series B round, ideaForge is scaling its operations to meet global demand.
Biotechnology and HealthTech
Biotech startups are addressing healthcare challenges with innovative solutions. Dognosis, led by 24-year-old Akash Kulgod, uses AI-trained dogs to detect cancer from breath samples with 96% sensitivity. Partnerships with six Karnataka hospitals and a UC Berkeley-backed thesis underscore its potential. Meanwhile, Niramai, founded by Geetha Manjunath, leverages AI for non-invasive breast cancer screening, raising $6 million to expand its thermal imaging technology.
Semiconductors and Clean Energy
The semiconductor and clean energy sectors are gaining momentum due to India’s push for technological self-reliance. Agnikul Cosmos, another space tech player, is developing 3D-printed rocket engines, while Yotuh Energy, led by Shaivee Malik, focuses on sustainable refrigeration units for logistics. These startups are capitalizing on government incentives like the design-linked incentive scheme for semiconductors.
Trailblazers Leading the Charge
Young Innovators
India’s DeepTech scene is notable for its young founders, with the median entrepreneurial age at 27. Akash Kulgod of Dognosis exemplifies this trend, leveraging his Berkeley thesis to build a groundbreaking cancer detection platform. Similarly, Arjun Rao of Arctus Aerospace is developing UAVs with enhanced endurance and payload capacity, driven by a vision to bolster India’s aerospace capabilities after a personal tragedy. These founders challenge the notion that DeepTech requires decades of experience, proving that audacity and academic rigor can drive innovation.
Established Players
Established DeepTech firms are also making waves. Fractal Analytics, founded by Srikanth Vijay Kumar, is a global leader in AI-driven analytics, serving Fortune 500 companies. With over $600 million in funding and a valuation exceeding $1 billion, Fractal is a DeepTech unicorn. Miko, founded by Sneh Vaswani, develops AI-powered companion robots for children, integrating with Android and iOS platforms to personalize education and entertainment.
Women in DeepTech
Women founders are carving out a significant presence. Geetha Manjunath of Niramai and Nyha Shree of Jumper.ai are breaking barriers in health and customer engagement, respectively. Jumper.ai, co-founded by Shree, uses AI to enhance social media commerce, raising $3.4 million in a bridge round. These women are not only innovating but also inspiring a new generation of female entrepreneurs in a male-dominated field.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite the promise, DeepTech startups face significant hurdles. Funding gaps, particularly at Series A and beyond, remain a critical challenge, with a 77% drop in investments in 2023. The “Valley of Death”—the transition from seed to growth-stage funding—threatens to stall progress. Talent shortages in specialized fields like quantum computing, long R&D cycles, and regulatory complexities further complicate the landscape. Infrastructure bottlenecks, such as limited access to advanced labs, also hinder scalability.
To address these, stakeholders are advocating for solutions like specialized DeepTech clusters in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, fast-tracked patent approvals, and increased corporate R&D investment. The NDTSP’s focus on ethical innovation and the ₹1 lakh-crore Anusandhan National Research Foundation are steps in the right direction. Collaborations with global ecosystems, such as Japan and the EU, are also expanding opportunities for Indian startups.
The Global Stage
India’s DeepTech startups are not just solving local problems—they’re competing globally. Companies like Algomox (AI-driven IT management) and Syook (no-code IoT platforms) are part of Nasscom’s InnoTrek program, connecting with U.S. tech giants and investors. Acquisitions by global firms, such as Nextiva’s purchase of Bengaluru-based Simplify360, highlight the universal appeal of Indian intellectual property. With 1,400+ patents filed by DeepTech firms in the past five years, India is poised to become a global DeepTech powerhouse.
Conclusion
The rise of DeepTech startups in India marks a pivotal shift from “dukaandari” to disruptive innovation. Leaders like Skyroot Aerospace, Dognosis, Niramai, and Fractal Analytics are harnessing AI, space tech, biotech, and more to address global challenges. Young founders, supportive policies, and growing investor interest are fueling this revolution, but challenges like funding gaps and talent shortages must be addressed to sustain momentum. As India aims for a $10 trillion GDP by 2030, DeepTech startups are set to be a cornerstone of this ambition, redefining the nation’s technological and economic future.
Last Updated on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 7:05 pm by Tamatam charan sai Reddy
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