Message from CEO's Desk

Ms. Shipra MisraMD and CEO, DRIIV

As an S&T cluster of the PSA to GoI, DRIIV has successfully created the building blocks for a well engaged and dynamic ecosystem, where all the strands of the triple helix structure (i.e. industry-academia-government bodies) now have a common platform and structured mechanisms to collaborate for taking innovations from lab-to-market.

As we embark on our next phase of growth, which coincides with India's Techade, our focus is on creating impact at scale, across our chosen thrust areas - namely 'Critical and Emerging Technologies', 'Energy and Environment' and 'Water Security'. These thematic areas are cornerstones for India's journey towards #ViksitBharat in an environmentally sustainable manner.

India's intellectual capital has the power to leverage DeepTech for building a robust knowledge economy. This is reflected in the nation's ambitious missions in domains such as semiconductors, AI, spacetech etc. DRIIV's 'Critical and Emerging Technologies' vertical aims to nurture deeptech innovations by sourcing commercial deployment opportunities via strategic partnerships with key industry players. For example, our collaboration with organisations such as the Airport Authority of India, InSpace, and private airlines and airport operators provides unprecedented opportunities to startups for innovation and indigenisation in the civil aviation sector. Such partnerships not only help startups to scale, but also transform the entire sector in the process, matching it up to global standards.

For S&T to drive impactful growth, it is vital that there be "Convergence" across various government ministries, departments and schemes, as also emphasised by our Honourable Prime Minister. We therefore engage with line ministries such as the MoEFCC, MSME, MeiTy etc. on their schemes benefitting startups and MSMEs as a knowledge and implementation partner. This serves the dual purpose of delivering on national priorities (e.g. AI, EV, Semiconductor, Waste to Wealth etc.) as well as empowering small and medium enterprises - that contribute over 30% to India’s GDP, employing millions - via technology infusion, skilling and capacity building.

High TRL technologies based on core sciences require capital infusion, piloting opportunities and 'co-creation' with industry partners to achieve commercial scale. We partner with venture funds and businesses to mobilise such capital and business mentorship via investments and CSR. We also serve as a local solution provider to public authorities by sourcing techno-commercially feasible solutions, thereby also creating opportunities for startups and MSMEs to pilot their solutions in real life conditions at scale.

Technological advancement and evolving dynamics of the geo-political landscape make it imperative for nations to engage in technology diplomacy. DRIIV has therefore been collaborating with the S&T cluster counterparts in other countries for knowledge exchange and technology transfer. We aim to leverage such engagements to keep engaged with the technological innovations happening globally, thereby accelerating the pace of indigenous innovation via international partnerships.

As we continue to deliver on our three-pronged mandate of creating a shared ecosystem, serving as a local solution provider and enabling our nation to achieve global competitiveness in technology, we look forward to your collaboration.