In July 2025, the Startup Policy Forum (SPF) launched the #100DesiDeepTechs, a first-of-its-kind multi-stakeholder initiative aimed to identify and empower India’s top 100 deep-tech startups.
- The programme is being run in collaboration with Startup India – Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Startup Hub and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras.
- The Government of India(GoI) has allocated another Rs. 10,000 crores to promote deep-tech startups through the Fund of Funds (FoF) scheme.
About #100DesiDeepTechs Initiative:
i.The #100DesiDeepTechs programme targets startups working in semiconductors, defence, quantum technology, green hydrogen, space, drones, electric vehicles, biotechnology, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and communications.
- Applications are open nationwide until August 17, 2025, inviting startups from across India to be part of this exclusive deep-tech cohort.
ii.The process of selecting the startups will be led by IIT-Madras, the Policy Whitepaper will be drafted by SPF’s knowledge partner, Ikigai Law, and policy consulting firm Kaio will manage the initiative.
iii.Then the selected startups will join closed-door deeptech dialogues with policymakers, investors, industry leaders, and researchers.
iv.These discussions will lead to a whitepaper outlining sector-specific challenges and regulatory recommendations
- The policy whitepaper will be unveiled at “Deeptech Baithak,” a high-level gathering of 100 stakeholders, including founders, investors, and government representatives.
GoI allocates additional Rs. 10,000 crore to support deep tech sector:
The Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoC&I), has announced a second tranche of Rs 10,000 crore to promote innovation and strengthen the deep tech ecosystem.
- The announcement was made during the ‘Sangam 2025’, an event organised by IIT Madras and its alumni association in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Key Points:
i.This tranche is part of the flagship FoF, announced by the Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance(MoF) during the union budget 2025-26.
- This funding is aimed at supporting innovation, cutting-edge technologies, and the next generation of Indian startups.
ii.Union Minister Piyush Goyal also highlighted that the Cabinet recently approved a USD 12 billion (bn) (Rs.1 lakh crore) zero-interest, 50-year loan for the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology(MoS&T).
- This will be used to encourage the private sector to scale up research and innovation significantly in sunrise domains (new and rapidly growing sectors).
About the FoF Scheme (Fund of Funds for Startups):
Launched in January 2016 under the Startup India Action Plan, the FoF Scheme is managed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), MoC&I and implemented by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
- Unlike direct funding models, the scheme does not invest directly in startups. Instead, it channels funds through SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which in turn invest in high-potential Indian startups.
- The scheme was initially allocated a corpus of Rs.10,000 crore.
- As of December 2024, Rs.10,229 crore has been committed to 129 AIFs, which have collectively mobilized Rs.17,534 crore, benefiting over 969 startups across sectors.
About Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I):
Union Minister – Piyush Goyal (Constituency: Mumbai North, Maharashtra)
Minister of State (MoS) – Jitin Prasada (Constituency: Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
