India’s Deeptech Lag Linked to Weak Research, Not Talent: Khosla
India’s startup ecosystem has been abuzz with unicorns and quick commerce wins, but deeptech remains underdeveloped. Despite the country’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation, its progress in foundational technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data science is lagging behind. In a conversation with DQ India, Atul Khosla, Venture Capitalist and Director of Shoolini University, shed light on the reasons behind India’s deeptech dilemma, dispelling the myth that a lack of talent is the primary culprit.
According to Khosla, the fundamental issue is not the absence of talent but a lack of investment in research, education infrastructure, and culture for innovation. “We have plenty of brilliant minds in India, but we need to create an ecosystem that fosters innovation and supports the development of deeptech,” he emphasized.
Khosla attributes the country’s lag in deeptech to a combination of factors. Firstly, research in India is largely driven by universities, which are often underfunded and understaffed. This limited capacity to conduct high-quality research hinders the development of deeptech, which requires significant investment in infrastructure, equipment, and talent.
Secondly, the country’s education system is not designed to produce students with the necessary skills and expertise to work on deeptech projects. “We need to overhaul our education system to focus on STEM education, research, and innovation,” Khosla added. This would involve creating a curriculum that emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration, as well as providing students with access to cutting-edge infrastructure and resources.
Thirdly, the startup ecosystem in India is primarily focused on quick commerce and consumer-facing apps, which do not require significant investment in deeptech. “We need to encourage more startups to focus on deeptech, and for that, we need to create a supportive ecosystem that provides funding, mentorship, and resources,” Khosla emphasized.
Lastly, India lacks a culture of innovation and risk-taking. “We need to encourage a mindset shift in our society, where failure is seen as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than as a reason to avoid taking risks,” Khosla said.
Khosla’s views are supported by the recent report by Nasscom and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which highlighted the need for India to invest in deeptech to remain competitive in the global innovation landscape. The report noted that while India has made significant progress in digital technologies, it still lags behind in foundational technologies like AI, data science, and cybersecurity.
To overcome these challenges, Khosla suggests that the government and industry must work together to create a supportive ecosystem for deeptech. This could involve initiatives such as tax incentives for deeptech startups, funding for deeptech research, and partnerships between academia and industry.
Furthermore, Khosla believes that India needs to develop a strong research culture, where universities and research institutions are encouraged to conduct high-quality research and collaborate with industry partners. “We need to create a culture of innovation, where research is seen as a key driver of economic growth and development,” he emphasized.
In conclusion, India’s deeptech lag is not due to a lack of talent but a lack of investment in research, education infrastructure, and culture for innovation. To overcome these challenges, the government and industry must work together to create a supportive ecosystem for deeptech startups, strengthen research institutions, and promote a culture of innovation.
