Startup Policy Forum launches DeepVerse to bring deeptech startups, investors, and policymakers together

Startup Policy Forum (SPF) has launched DeepVerse, its centre for deeptech Innovation, bringing together investors, deeptech founders, policymakers, global technology companies, and academia to support the development of India’s deeptech ecosystem.

The platform will focus on policy dialogue, research, and collaboration across 10 deeptech areas, including semiconductors, quantum technology, spacetech, defence tech, biotech and healthtech, cleantech and energy, drones and aerospace, electric vehicles, advanced manufacturing, and robotics.

DeepVerse will also have an advisory board comprising investors, founders, policymakers, academics, and global technology leaders. The platform includes leading venture capital firms such as Accel India, Lightspeed, Bessemer Venture Partners, Speciale Invest, Endiya Partners, Crane Ventures, Avaana Capital, Iron Pillar, Stride Asset Management and Beenext.

“Congratulations to Startup Policy Forum on the launch of DeepVerse, Centre for DeepTech Innovation. A strong, multi-stakeholder approach is key to growing India’s deeptech ecosystem. Great to see DeepVerse bringing together founders, investors, academia, and government to take India’s deeptech ambitions forward,” said S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.

DeepVerse to push for policy changes across 10 sectors

The Centre is also expected to release a report outlining policy actionables across the 10 sectors. SPF said the initiative is intended to give deeptech companies a sustained voice in policymaking, particularly as such businesses typically require longer development cycles and significant capital.

“India has the founders and, increasingly, the capital for world-class deeptech. Policy has to catch up. When companies take a decade to build, founders and investors need rules they can plan around, and a say in making them. DeepVerse institutionalises that voice,” said Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President & CEO, Startup Policy Forum.

The advisory board includes founders such as Ather Energy co-founder and CEO Tarun Mehta, Airbound founder and CEO Naman Pushp, Skyroot Aerospace co-founder and CEO Pawan Chandana, and Digantara founder and CEO Anirudh Sharma.

The policy, academia and global technology group includes MeitY Startup Hub CEO Dr. Panneerselvam Madanagopal, Chief Policy Adviser at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser Dr. B. Chagun Basha, Kohli, Dayananda Sagar University Pro-Chancellor Dr. D. Premachandra Sagar and Intel India Director of Ecosystem and Industry Aditi Nanda. 

DeepVerse builds on SPF’s #100DesiDeepTechs initiative, developed with MeitY Startup Hub, Startup India (DPIIT) and IIT Madras. The initiative identified 100 leading Indian deeptech startups and held discussions with founders on regulation, access to capital, talent and global expansion. SPF said DeepVerse will provide a permanent platform for this engagement and help the growing deeptech startup cohort participate in shaping India’s deeptech policy.