Prof Jhunjhunwala urges India to back startup risk-takers at TechSparks

At TechSparks 2026, a prominent academic argued that India can develop any technology and called for a new approach to entrepreneurship. The remarks centered on three themes: moving away from exam-centric education, prioritizing edge computing, and forming consortia that bring scientists and startups together to solve local problems.

The push for consortia echoes recent efforts like W Health Ventures’ $73 million Fund II, which builds startups internally to address clinical gaps. Unlike traditional venture capital, these models rely on structured collaboration between researchers and founders—a model that could accelerate deeptech adoption if scaled. The challenge, however, remains funding. India’s fintech sector, for instance, has slowed due to a capital crunch and fewer new startups, as reported last month.

The comments also align with broader policy shifts. A senior government official recently framed H-1B visa denials as a boon for domestic talent, suggesting a push to retain skilled workers. Yet whether this translates into tangible support for risk-takers remains unclear. A tech executive speaking at the same event noted that AI is lowering the cost of building global startups, but systemic barriers persist.

What’s next? Watch for concrete initiatives—funding pools, regulatory tweaks, or university-industry partnerships—that turn this vision into action. Without them, the gap between ambition and execution may widen.

Sources: yourstory.com