Is the Government Supporting Deep-Tech Startups as They Grow?
Synopsis
IIT Madras Director, Professor V. Kamakoti, recently highlighted the government's commitment to supporting deep-tech startups. With revised eligibility criteria, these startups can now benefit from enhanced funding opportunities, positioning India as a hub for innovation. Discover what this means for the future of technology in the nation.
Key Takeaways
Government support for deep-tech startups is vital for innovation.
Eligibility criteria have been expanded to foster growth.
Recognition now includes cooperative entities to drive grassroots innovation.
Increased turnover limits reflect the evolving startup ecosystem.
TRL 9 signifies readiness for commercial deployment.
Chennai, Feb 6 (NationPress) The Director of IIT Madras, Professor V. Kamakoti, stated on Friday that the government is focused on providing support to deep-tech startups as they navigate their growth journey.
This statement follows the government's recent decision to broaden the definition of startups to include deep technology companies as a distinct sub-category within its updated guidelines aimed at fortifying the Startup India initiative, which seeks to position India as a global leader in innovation.
In a conversation with IANS, Kamakoti explained: “Deep-tech startups often secure seed and angel funding and work on developing specific prototypes. They are on the verge of attaining the next level of technology readiness, referred to as TRL 9.”
TRL 9 (Technology Readiness Level 9) denotes the pinnacle of technology maturity, where a system is fully validated and qualified through successful operations, which can include space missions or comprehensive commercial deployment.
The newly established sub-category of Deep Tech Startup targets entities engaged in pioneering and transformative technologies.
Acknowledging the prolonged development timelines, significant research and development demands, and the capital-intensive characteristics of deep tech companies, the eligibility standards for this category have been broadened. The age limit has been extended from 10 years to 20 years since the date of incorporation or registration, and the turnover threshold has been raised to Rs 300 crore.
Additionally, the criteria for startup recognition have been revised to increase the turnover limit from the previous Rs 100 crore to Rs 200 crore, reflecting the evolving landscape of the startup ecosystem and the necessity to support businesses at various stages of their development, as noted by the government.
Moreover, the eligibility for startup recognition has been expanded to cover cooperative entities to foster innovation-driven growth at the grassroots level in agriculture, allied industries, rural sectors, and community enterprises.
As a result, Multi-State Cooperative Societies registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act of 2002 and Cooperative Societies registered under state and Union Territory Cooperative Acts are now eligible for startup recognition, provided they meet other relevant criteria.
Point of View
The government's initiative to include deep-tech startups under the Startup India program signifies a progressive step towards encouraging innovation. This support could catalyze the growth of transformative technologies and establish India as a competitive player in the global tech landscape, aligning with the nation's broader economic goals.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of TRL 9?
TRL 9, or Technology Readiness Level 9, indicates that a technology has been fully tested and proven in operational environments, marking it as the highest level of technology maturity.
What changes have been made to the startup eligibility criteria?
The age limit for deep-tech startups has been extended from 10 years to 20 years, and the turnover limit has been raised to Rs 300 crore to accommodate the nature of deep tech enterprises.
How does this affect cooperative entities?
The startup recognition has been expanded to include cooperative entities, promoting innovation-driven growth in agriculture and community-based sectors.
