IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF) spearheads the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) in Positioning and Precision Technology (PPT). Backed by the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India, this not-for-profit Section-8 company operates with a significant funding of INR 100 crores over five years starting in 2022. Its mission? To empower startups across diverse domains and drive innovation.
The TIH on PPT serves as a dynamic platform uniting researchers, industries, stakeholders, and end-users from various disciplines. Focused on advancing India’s capabilities in Positioning and Precision Technology, the hub aligns itself with flagship national initiatives such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Startup India. Through its efforts, it aspires to bolster India’s self-reliance in this critical field.
In an exclusive interaction with The Interview World, Dr. Roshan Srivastav, Project Director of I-Hub Foundation at IIT Tirupati, sheds light on the cutting-edge facilities and resources the hub provides to startups. He delves into its domain-centric incubation programs and reveals the number of startups currently nurtured. Moreover, he addresses the barriers hindering entrepreneurial growth. Moreover, he emphasizes the strategic measures required to stimulate India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem.
Here are the key insights from this compelling conversation.
Q: What facilities and resources does the I-Hub at IIT Tirupati offer to support startups in their journey from ideation to scaling?
A: We offer comprehensive support to startups at every stage of their journey, from ideation to acceleration. Our tailored approach ensures startups receive the precise assistance they need, whether they are just forming an idea or scaling up operations.
At each phase, we provide financial backing, rigorous training, and expert mentorship to help navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Our solutions are customized to fit the unique requirements of every startup, eliminating unnecessary risks along the way.
Startups can join us at any point in their growth trajectory, and we will equip them with the essential tools and resources to thrive in the competitive market. From funding to guidance, we ensure a seamless, well-supported path to success.
Q: Does the I-Hub at IIT Tirupati focus on nurturing startups in specific domains or areas of expertise?
A: Our center operates as a domain-agnostic hub, with a sharp focus on positioning and precision technologies. These include GIS, remote sensing, GNSS tracking systems, and non-invasive technologies like positioning, navigation, and timing solutions. These innovations span critical sectors such as defense, agriculture, transportation, logistics, and skill development.
From everyday GPS devices used by the public to advanced satellite technologies, our scope bridges the gap between common utility and cutting-edge innovation. We address the nation’s most pressing issues, including agriculture, a key focus area, alongside critical domains like transportation and logistics. Furthermore, we explore groundbreaking applications such as terrestrial and underwater navigation, which hold immense strategic importance.
Looking ahead, we are advancing into quantum navigation, emphasizing anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technologies. As autonomous vehicles become mainstream in the next 5–10 years, the demand for these robust solutions will skyrocket. Our efforts are geared towards pioneering these advancements, ensuring secure and reliable navigation systems for the future.
Q: How many startups are currently being incubated at the I-Hub of IIT Tirupati?
A: At our Technology Innovation Hub, we have over 50 registered startups, with fewer than 15 having secured funding so far. After closely observing the challenges startups face in India over two years, I identified a critical gap. While funding opportunities—through grants and various schemes—are plentiful, what most startups truly lack is sustainable business opportunities. This realization led to the creation of my brainchild, Vikas.
Vikas addresses the core need of startups by connecting them with real business opportunities. By filling their project pipelines, startups not only gain confidence but also build credibility, which positions them to win larger, more complex projects. This initiative helps them compete more effectively, especially in markets dominated by established industries and in securing government contracts.
Through Vikas, we leverage our position as a government body to channel industry and government projects directly to startups. We act as facilitators, sourcing problem statements, securing funding, and transferring these projects to startups. Beyond connecting them with opportunities, we ensure quality by overseeing project execution, providing mentorship, and maintaining high standards.
This model—focused on empowering startups as solution providers—sets us apart. By bridging the gap between opportunity and capability, Vikas transforms startups into essential contributors to problem-solving in critical sectors. I am confident this approach is a game-changer and has yet to be replicated elsewhere in the country. We remain steadfast in our mission to enable startups to thrive by bringing them closer to sustainable, meaningful business opportunities.
Q: You’ve mentioned the challenges startups face. Beyond these, why do you think they struggle to scale up or lose direction along their journey? What underlying reasons do you perceive behind this?
A: There are several reasons for this challenge, but the key issue I’ve identified lies in the lack of sustainable business opportunities for startups. Once a startup secures funding to develop its technology, it still faces significant hurdles when trying to bring that technology to market. Government support is crucial, but rather than simply investing in the technology, the government should also actively seek to purchase it.
Unfortunately, government tenders often require high turnover and extensive experience, which puts startups at a disadvantage. By the time they are ready to grow, they are competing with larger, more established players, making it difficult for them to sustain themselves.
Consider this: a startup with just five to ten employees needs to spend five to ten lakh rupees per month just to keep their team afloat. This financial burden can quickly overwhelm them, even if their idea has great potential. Without a steady stream of business opportunities, many startups lose their way. They struggle to keep up with the demands of the market and, ultimately, lose momentum.
This is precisely why I developed Vikas—to provide that crucial window of opportunity for startups, allowing them to secure business and thrive. Without such support, they may never reach their full potential.
Q: What is your vision for the future of the Indian startup ecosystem? As the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, do you foresee India advancing to claim the number one or number two spot in the coming years? What factors could drive this growth?
A: Absolutely. I firmly believe there is immense potential for us to become number one, but the path to success is far from easy. It requires a series of deliberate and strategic steps. For starters, we must trust in the startups we are developing and truly support them. We need to shift our reliance away from imported products and instead collaborate with startups capable of innovating and delivering solutions.
The key lies in creating sustainable business opportunities for startups. Both industry and government must look to our homegrown startups as primary partners. Once this foundation is in place, startups can grow, sustain themselves, and thrive. This success will, in turn, encourage students and aspiring entrepreneurs.
However, success stories cannot be limited to just a handful. Ideally, 60 to 70 percent of startups should see growth and sustainability. This is the measure of true success. Similarly, in universities, if only one or two students secure a top-tier job, it does not reflect overall success. We must aim for at least 70 to 80 percent placement for students. The same principle applies to the startup ecosystem: we need more than just a few standout stories. Only then can we claim real progress.
Q: Is there anything additional you would like to share that we haven’t covered during our discussion?
A: I would like to highlight the National Mission in Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, a truly unique initiative, which also forms the foundation of our master class program. This mission involves over 25 technology innovation hubs, each focused on advancing translational research, fostering the startup ecosystem, promoting skill development, and facilitating international collaborations.
Through this platform, I encourage both industry and government agencies to support these technology innovation hubs. By doing so, we can nurture startups and the research community, driving innovation and growth. Additionally, we aim to address the significant skills gap in India by developing a highly skilled workforce, which is crucial for the country’s future.
