India needs to take bigger bets in deep tech, says Infosys cofounder K. Dinesh

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Infosys cofounder and Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) president K. Dinesh said India must take larger risks and invest more ambitiously in deep tech if it wants to compete globally in advanced research and innovation.

Speaking to Moneycontrol on the sidelines of the Infosys Prize 2025 announcement event, Dinesh said India’s progress will depend on stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and government, along with better funding and mentorship for young researchers.

The ISF recently lowered the upper age limit for the Infosys Prize to spotlight early-career researchers.

“This is only the second year of the revised age criterion, and we are already seeing many promising young innovators emerging across fields,” he said.

On November 12, the ISF announced six Infosys Prize 2025 laureates across economics, engineering and computer science, humanities and social sciences, life sciences, mathematical sciences, and physical sciences.

India: Invest boldly in deep tech

Meanwhile, Dinesh added that deep tech research requires larger risk-taking, longer gestation periods, and sustained commitment.

“Deep tech projects take time and need patience. For every two or three successes, there may be several that fail, but the rewards are significant,” he said.

Further adding that India needs clearer short and long-term research goals, stronger mentorship networks, and the involvement of global experts to accelerate progress.

Collaboration: Academia, Industry, & Government

According to Dinesh, India still lacks the level of coordinated collaboration needed to commercialize research at scale.

He said academia must strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities, industry must commit more capital to early innovation, and government missions must break down large problems into achievable milestones.

Turn research into real-world solutions

India’s booming startup ecosystem, Dinesh said, can serve as a bridge between research and society.

“Startups will increasingly pick up research ideas and convert them into market-ready products,” he said.

He was pointing to areas like climate science, diagnostics, genomics, and quantum technology, where past Infosys Prize winners have already made an impact.

Also, read: Harnessing power from thin air: Infosys Prize 2024 winner Shyam Gollakota’s vision for battery-free computing

India should learn from global deep tech models

Dinesh urged India to study how countries with strong deep tech ecosystems built long-term capabilities.

Patient capital, early investment, and strong university networks helped many nations become leaders in advanced technologies.

Speaking at the same event, Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy cited the historic exchange between President Franklin Roosevelt and American engineer and inventor Vannevar Bush during World War II, explaining how the United States became a scientific superpower because it chose to place research at the heart of national development.

India’s advantage is its young talent pool

Reflecting on his own career across multiple technological shifts, Dinesh said India’s strength lies in its ability to adapt quickly.

“When technology changes, new doors open. Our job is to keep learning, keep innovating, and keep moving forward,” he said.