India took a significant step toward consolidating its position as a global technology leader with the launch of the Department of Science and Technology–National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations Centre of Excellence at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. The initiative aims to accelerate deep-technology entrepreneurship and strengthen the country’s science-to-market ecosystem.
The Centre of Excellence has been established with financial support of approximately ₹40 crore from the Department of Science and Technology and was formally dedicated to the nation by the Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh. The facility is housed in a newly constructed, purpose-built block on the IIM Ahmedabad campus and is designed as a national hub connecting scientific research, management expertise, industry engagement and investment support.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Jitendra Singh said India has moved decisively over the past decade from being a technology adopter to becoming a science-led, technology-driven economy. He emphasised that deep technology is no longer optional for the country’s growth trajectory but central to its strategic autonomy, economic resilience and global competitiveness.
The Minister underlined that translating scientific research into commercially viable solutions requires a strong management backbone. Institutions such as IIM Ahmedabad, he said, are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap by combining technological innovation with sound business and scaling strategies. Without effective management, technological breakthroughs struggle to reach impact, while management without innovation risks stagnation.
The newly launched Centre of Excellence spans nearly 59,000 square feet and has been developed as a comprehensive venture creation ecosystem. It includes advanced prototyping and venture development laboratories, collaborative workspaces, meeting and boardroom facilities, training and capacity-building infrastructure, and dedicated zones for investor engagement and networking. The Centre will support early-stage startups, deep-tech founders, students, investors and institutional partners, strengthening India’s innovation pipeline from laboratory research to market-ready enterprises.
Highlighting a major shift in India’s startup landscape, Dr Jitendra Singh noted that nearly half of the country’s startups now emerge from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. He said improved digital connectivity, expanding incubation networks and supportive government policies have democratised innovation, allowing talent from across the country to participate in the national startup ecosystem.
The Minister also pointed to India’s rising global innovation profile, noting that the country now ranks among the top three startup ecosystems worldwide. He said steady growth in patent filings, scientific publications and resident-led innovation reflects sustained public investment in scientific capacity building and ecosystem development.
The launch of the Centre of Excellence also marked the unveiling of “Translation Endeavours”, a collaborative, multi-institutional platform designed to address persistent challenges in deep-technology translation. The initiative seeks to break silos between academia, industry, government and investors by enabling shared infrastructure, coordinated incubation programmes and industry-aligned innovation pathways.
Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted that government-backed mechanisms such as the Research, Development and Innovation Fund and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation are structured to provide patient, risk-tolerant capital to deep-tech ventures. These instruments, he said, are essential for supporting early-stage innovation and enabling startups to scale in a responsible and sustainable manner.
Concluding his address, the Minister called on researchers, students, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and investors to work collaboratively in shaping India’s innovation future. He stressed that while the government is providing policy support, funding and institutional backing, long-term success will depend on perseverance, integrity and the effective translation of scientific ideas into tangible societal benefits.