India’s DeepTech Moment: Insights from Fortune India x Nasscom Future Forge 2025

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion hosted by Fortune India at Nasscom’s Future Forge 2025 & Tech Developer Confluence (watch here: https://youtu.be/USROSZy887g?si=CSNA-pQ718QZaaYL&t=338). It was an exciting conversation centered around India’s rapidly evolving DeepTech ecosystem and the role startups and innovators are playing in shaping the future.

Being part of this discussion felt particularly special — not just because of the platform, but because of the diversity of ideas and domains represented. From energy conservation and climate action to drug discovery, next-generation wearables, and sustainable manufacturing, the breadth of innovation was truly inspiring. 🚀

Here are a few key takeaways that stood out to me:

💡 1. India is Shifting from Services to Products

For years, India has been known for its strength in services. But that narrative is changing rapidly.

We are now seeing a strong shift toward:

IP-led innovation
Product-driven companies
DeepTech startups solving fundamental problems

This transition is not just exciting — it’s inevitable. And it positions India to create long-term, defensible value on a global scale.

🌍 2. Build in India, Solve for the World

One of the most powerful themes across the discussion was this:

The opportunity is not just to build for India — but to build from India for the world.

Whether it’s climate tech, healthcare, or industrial AI, the problems we are solving locally often have global relevance.

Startups today have the chance to:

Build globally competitive products
Leverage India’s cost and talent advantages
Scale solutions beyond geographical boundaries

⚡ 3. AI + Energy Efficiency = Competitive Advantage

From my perspective at Zolnoi, one message was very clear:

Manufacturers who embed AI into their energy and operational workflows today will define the market tomorrow.

Energy is no longer just a cost center — it’s a strategic lever.

With the right use of AI:

Inefficiencies can be detected in real time
Energy wastage can be minimized
Production can be optimized without additional capex

The gap between AI adopters and non-adopters in manufacturing is only going to widen.

🧠 4. DeepTech Requires Long-Term Thinking

Unlike traditional software, DeepTech innovation requires:

Patience
Strong technical depth
Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Whether it’s drug discovery or advanced manufacturing, these are not overnight successes. But the impact they create is significantly more profound and long-lasting.

🤝 5. The Ecosystem is Coming Together

Events like Future Forge highlight something important — India’s innovation ecosystem is maturing.

We are seeing stronger collaboration between:

Startups
Enterprises
Research institutions
Policy enablers

This collective momentum is what will drive the next wave of breakthrough innovations.

🎯 Final Thoughts

India’s DeepTech moment isn’t coming — it’s already here.

What’s exciting is that we’re still in the early innings. The decisions founders, engineers, and industry leaders make today will shape how India positions itself on the global innovation map over the next decade.

Grateful to Fortune India and Nasscom for creating such a platform — and to be part of a conversation that is only just getting started. 🚀