The Deep Tech Pathway: Why India Must Become a Product Nation by 2047
India’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047 hinges on a fundamental shift—moving from research output to tangible, market-ready products. According to Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, the country’s deep tech ecosystem holds the key to this transformation. Speaking at the India AI Impact event in Delhi, he emphasized that the nation must urgently convert its laboratory discoveries into real-world technologies and commercial solutions. Without this pivot, the goal of becoming a fully developed economy by the centenary of independence will remain elusive.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Reality
Gopalakrishnan, who also chairs the seed-stage venture capital firm Axilor Ventures, pointed out that India produces considerable research but lacks a robust mechanism to scale it into products and technologies. While there are isolated success stories, the overall environment for commercialization remains underdeveloped. He stressed that many deep tech startups originate from work done in universities and research labs, making it critical to build an ecosystem where such breakthroughs can seamlessly transition into businesses. The challenge is not a shortage of ideas, but the absence of a structured pathway to turn those ideas into industries.
Collaboration as the Cornerstone of Innovation
A thriving deep tech ecosystem, Gopalakrishnan argued, requires deep collaboration between three key players: research institutions, industry, and startups. He cited the IIT Madras Research Park as a successful model, where companies and academic bodies co-locate to work on joint research projects. Similar synergies are emerging at IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi. These examples show that when academia and industry share space and goals, innovation accelerates. The message is clear: silos must be broken down for India to compete globally in deep technology.
Attracting Global Investment Through a Strong Ecosystem
One of the most compelling benefits of a mature deep tech ecosystem is its ability to draw foreign investment. Gopalakrishnan noted that international capital is already flowing into Indian startups, and deep tech ventures are poised to capture an even larger share. If India creates the right conditions—such as streamlined regulations, funding support, and industry-academia linkages—global investors will see the country as a prime destination for high-tech innovation. This influx of capital would not only fuel growth but also create a virtuous cycle of reinvestment and talent development.
Industry-Startup Connect: A Practical Model
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has launched a targeted program to bridge the gap between established companies and emerging startups. Under this initiative, corporations articulate their specific challenges and needs, and are then matched with startups that can offer solutions. Operating under the Center of Excellence for innovation, entrepreneurship, and startups, this program aims to foster a collaborative culture. It recognizes that large enterprises often struggle to innovate internally, while startups bring agility but lack scale. Connecting them creates a powerful engine for problem-solving and product development.
The Expanding Role of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence, Gopalakrishnan observed, is rapidly penetrating every sector of the economy. From healthcare to agriculture, manufacturing to finance, AI is becoming an indispensable tool. He described it as a defining technology of the coming era, one that will significantly accelerate India’s technological progress. For the country to fully leverage AI, it must invest not only in computing infrastructure but also in training, data governance, and ethical frameworks. AI is not a standalone field—it is an enabler that can amplify the impact of deep tech innovations across the board.
From Service Provider to Product Creator
Gopalakrishnan’s vision for a developed India rests on a fundamental identity shift. He believes that the nation must evolve from being a global hub for services to becoming a creator of products and technologies. This means moving up the value chain—designing, building, and exporting innovative hardware and software rather than just providing back-end support. A strong deep tech ecosystem is the vehicle for this transformation. By fostering a culture of product development, India can establish itself as a “Product Nation” that contributes original solutions to the world.
Technology as the Foundation of Economic Strength
Ultimately, Gopalakrishnan argued that technological strength is the bedrock of economic power. A country cannot achieve developed status without mastering science and engineering. Deep tech is not a niche interest—it is a national priority. The path to 2047 is not paved with incremental improvements but with bold, systemic changes in how India approaches research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. By aligning startups, industry, and academia, and by prioritizing the conversion of research into products, India can unlock its full potential. The dream of becoming a developed nation is achievable, but only if the country commits to becoming a product-led, technology-first economy.
