DEEP TECH

Deep Tech refers to technologies that are based on profound scientific and engineering advances, often involving cutting-edge innovations and breakthroughs. These technologies typically have a substantial impact on industries and society as a whole, often disrupting existing norms and creating new opportunities. Deep Tech solutions are often characterized by a high level of complexity, requiring significant expertise in scientific and technical domains.

Examples of Deep Tech include artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced robotics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and advanced materials science. These fields involve in-depth scientific research and development, often pushing the boundaries of what is currently possible.

Deep Tech startups and companies focus on creating intellectual property through research and development, making it distinct from more conventional technology companies that may primarily leverage existing technologies. The impact of Deep Tech extends across various sectors, including healthcare, energy, manufacturing, information technology, and more

3. Characteristics of Deep Tech

• Founded on scientific discovery or meaningful engineering innovation: Deep tech companies are built on groundbreaking advancements in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and more. These innovations are often complex and require a deep understanding of the underlying science and engineering principles.

• High potential for impact: Deep tech has the potential to solve some of the world's most pressing challenges, such as climate change, disease, and energy scarcity. The solutions developed by deep tech companies can have a significant impact on society and the economy.

• Long development times: Deep tech innovations often take many years to develop and commercialize. This is because the underlying technologies are complex and require extensive research and testing.

• High capital requirements: Deep tech companies often require significant amounts of capital to fund their research and development activities. This can make it difficult for them to attract investors and scale their businesses.

• Technical risk: Deep tech companies face a high degree of technical risk. There is always a chance that their technology will not work as expected or that it will be overtaken by other technologies.

• Intellectual property: Deep tech companies often rely on intellectual property (IP) to protect their technology. This can be a valuable asset, but it can also be expensive to obtain and maintain.

4. Significance of Deep Tech

• Deep technology, also known as deep tech, encompasses advanced and revolutionary technologies that are currently in the developmental stages. These innovations have the potential to bring about transformative changes and offer solutions for future challenges.
• The term is used to describe cutting-edge research in fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, material sciences, quantum technologies, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data sciences, robotics, and 3D printing.
• These technologies are anticipated to play a crucial role in addressing complex global issues such as climate change, hunger, epidemics, energy access, mobility, physical and digital infrastructure, and cyber security.
• The advanced capabilities associated with deep tech are expected to boost productivity, drive economic growth, and create employment opportunities in the years to come.
• Countries with strong foundations in these areas are likely to gain a competitive advantage. India, with its substantial pool of high-quality science and engineering talent and a well-established technology culture, believes it is well-positioned to be a leader in these domains.
• There is an opportunity for India to contribute to the development of these technologies, ensuring early adoption, a stake in intellectual property, indigenous expertise, and self-reliance. Additionally, there are significant potential benefits, including the emergence of spin-off technologies, a skilled workforce, entrepreneurial opportunities, and technology exports

 5. What is the State of India’s Deep Tech Startups?

• At the close of 2021, India boasted a thriving community of more than 3,000 start-ups in the realm of deep technology, exploring cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things, Big Data, quantum computing, and robotics. As per NASSCOM, these deep-tech start-ups secured a substantial USD 2.7 billion in venture funding throughout 2021, constituting more than 12% of the nation's overall startup ecosystem.
• Over the past decade, India's deep tech landscape has burgeoned by 53%, placing it on par with developed markets like the US, China, Israel, and Europe. Bengaluru leads the pack, hosting 25-30% of India's deep-tech start-ups, with Delhi-NCR following closely at 15-20%, and Mumbai contributing 10-12%.
• Deep-tech start-ups are increasingly making their mark across diverse sectors, ranging from drone delivery and cold chain management to initiatives in climate action and clean energy. This burgeoning presence underscores the dynamic and impactful contributions of these innovative companies to various industries