India Must Build Its Own Critical Technologies for a Self-Reliant Future,” says Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan
The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) successfully hosted the Deep Tech Venture Summit 2025 recently, bringing together innovators, investors, and thought leaders to explore the future of deep-tech entrepreneurship.
The Summit provided a unique platform for participants to engage with IP-driven startups and connect with IITGN’s dynamic startup ecosystem. Attendees gained insights into emerging deep-tech trends, investment opportunities, and strategies to scale transformative technologies.
In his opening remarks, Anand Pandey, Deputy Manager (Commercialization) highlighted the institute’s purposeful journey in building a vibrant innovation culture.
Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-founder of Infosys and Chairman of Axilor Ventures, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing why deep-tech will be central to India’s technological and economic future.
“One of the strongest convergences for India’s growth is the coming together of deep knowledge, bold ambition, and the courage to take risks,” he said, noting that such gatherings demonstrate the potential of India’s innovators.
“As we aspire to become Viksit Bharat by 2047, we must build an IP-led, product-led economy. We cannot rely on others for critical technologies, we need to create our own solutions to ensure strategic autonomy”, he remarked.
Reflecting on the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, he said that “AI will fundamentally reshape how we live and work. This is just the beginning of a long journey, and no one can predict today who the eventual leaders will be,” he opined.
He wrapped up by saying that India will progress only if it backs its startups and builds its own world-class technologies.
“As India is moving into the next era, there is a need to build our own technologies, our own markets, and our own ecosystem, for us to contribute not just within the country but across the world, “said Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IITGN.
Highlighting the need for entrepreneurship, he added, “Graduates shouldn’t be just job seekers; they should also become job creators and technology leaders.”
“Every success that comes out of today’s event motivates us to continue strengthening this ecosystem,” said Prof Moona while concluding his speech during the inaugural.
Speaking about India’s deep-tech landscape, the panel observed that while the country has no shortage of breakthrough ideas, innovators often struggle due to limited funding pathways and insufficient platforms to scale. They noted that India has the talent and the concepts, but stronger investment mechanisms and deeper support structures are needed to turn these ideas into successful ventures. The discussion also highlighted how venture-capital models can help bridge this gap by offering not just capital but strategic guidance to emerging deep-tech founders.
Throughout the Summit, interactive sessions and networking opportunities enabled investors, angel funders, and entrepreneurs to forge meaningful connections, while follow-on discussions catalysed by the IITGN Innovation & Entrepreneurship Centre (IIEC) provided a pathway for collaboration and funding opportunities for promising startups.
Parallel pitching sessions were also held, featuring fifteen-minute startup pitches followed by a five-minute Q&A. Venture capitalists and industry experts served as jury members for each pitching track.
The Summit showed IITGN’s focus on supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. Participants left with new ideas, useful connections, and a clearer sense of what’s possible in deep-tech. It captured the spirit of “Dream. Build. Scale.” and encouraged the next generation of entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality.