Startup Policy Forum (SPF) has launched DeepVerse, its Centre for DeepTech Innovation, to accelerate India's deeptech ecosystem through a multi-stakeholder platform. The initiative unites startups, investors, government stakeholders, global technology companies, and academia around policy dialogue, research, and ecosystem collaboration. The announcement was made in New Delhi on October 6, 2026, positioning DeepVerse as a permanent home for structured deeptech engagement.
A Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Structure
DeepVerse is guided by an 18-member high-powered Advisory Board drawn from investors, founders, policymakers, academics, and global technology leaders. Ten leading venture capital firms are represented on the platform, including Accel India, Lightspeed, Bessemer Venture Partners, Speciale Invest, Endiya Partners, Crane Ventures, Avaana Capital, Iron Pillar, Stride Asset Management, and Beenext. Board members will shape the Centre's priorities while connecting industry perspectives to policy consultations and ecosystem initiatives.
Focus Sectors and Policy Priorities
The Centre will concentrate on ten deeptech sub-sectors, including semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, spacetech, quantum tech, defense tech, biotech and healthtech, cleantech and energy, drones and aerospace, electric vehicles, and robotics. These verticals reflect areas where Indian startups need coordinated policy, patient capital, and shared infrastructure. DeepVerse will soon launch an extensive report to highlight policy actionables across all ten sectors.
Building on the 100DesiDeepTechs Initiative
DeepVerse builds on the 100DesiDeepTechs initiative, SPF's national program developed with MeitY Startup Hub, Startup India (DPIIT), and IIT Madras. That initiative identified a cohort of India's 100 leading deeptech startups in May 2026 and gave founders a voice in policymaking. Over eight months, SPF hosted Deeptech Baatcheet sessions in hubs such as Delhi and Bengaluru, where advisory board members chaired dialogues on regulation, access to capital, talent, and global expansion.
Membership and Ecosystem Engagement
DeepVerse brings together members across three tiers, Deep Core, Deep Circle, and Patrons, who will contribute industry insight to policy consultations and ecosystem initiatives. Deep Core participants include investors, founders, universities, and technology leaders such as Accel, Ather Energy, Bessemer Venture Partners, Intel, Iron Pillar, Lightspeed, and Speciale Invest. Deep Circle and Patron members add a wider group of companies and institutions, including Meta, Sarvam, CarDekho Group, and Scaler.
Leadership Perspectives
S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, said a strong multi-stakeholder approach is key to growing India's deeptech ecosystem. Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO of Startup Policy Forum, noted that India has the founders and increasingly the capital for world-class deeptech, while policy has to catch up. She added that founders and investors need rules they can plan around and a say in making them, and that DeepVerse institutionalizes that voice.
About Startup Policy Forum
Startup Policy Forum is an independent, not-for-profit industry alliance representing more than 75 of India's leading new-age technology companies with a combined valuation of over US$100 billion. Its members span fintech, deeptech, consumer tech, healthtech, edtech, and emerging technologies, including Groww, Zerodha, Razorpay, Pine Labs, Sarvam, Emergent, CRED, Meesho, Invideo, Digantara, Airbound, Snabbit, Pronto, Cars24, and many others. SPF works across policy advocacy, global visibility, community building, and thought leadership.
The launch of DeepVerse marks a coordinated effort to give India's deeptech startups a sustained voice in shaping national policy. By aligning founders, investors, academia, and government, the Centre aims to turn sector-level insights into practical policy action. Its upcoming report and ongoing consultations are expected to influence regulation, capital flows, talent development, and global expansion for emerging deeptech companies.