BITS Pilani has launched an innovative Ph.D. program to help create a start-up based on research done during the Ph.D. It will focus on building deep tech and deep science start-up ventures to solve some of the most critical societal and business challenges.
The new PhD-DRIVE program is short for deep-tech research, innovation, value generation and entrepreneurship. It will admit students with expertise in technology and science and a clear intent to set up a start-up.
The program will include courses in entrepreneurship, an incubation program, funding for building a solution or product, and, most of all, access to the BITS alum network for further investments.
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, vice-chancellor at BITS Pilani, said, "As a country, we haven't done enough in deep technology and deep science ventures, where a start-up takes a long time to become viable. With this new program, we want PhD scholars to become entrepreneurs and innovators, not just look at an academic career post their PhDs".
He added that the program aims to incubate 100 start-ups through this program by 2030. BITS Pilani alums have created over 7400 start-ups of value all over the world so far, including 13 unicorns and a decacorn.
Prof Rao added, "Our current focus areas include solutions to address issues related to homeland and cyber security, healthcare, environment, agriculture, space and energy. Many sub-domains in these areas related to climate change, industry 4.0, food-technology etc will be of interest. The idea is to make advanced technologies such as quantum science and nanotechnology work for people at the grassroots. The PhD students under this start-up track shall join a centre of excellence or a specialized lab at BITS Pilani working in these areas."
BITS Pilani and its technology business incubators, such as DST-supported PIEDS, BIRAC-supported BGIIES, and the DST NM-ICPS-supported BioCyTIH, will work with various partners including investment partners, government labs, industry experts, corporates, and BITS alumni to keep the PhD scholars on a path of forming a start-up, and also create opportunities for them to seek further investments.
Speciale Invest, a venture capital firm focused on investing in deep tech start-ups, has already expressed its early support to the program. Vishesh Rajaram, the managing partner at Speciale Invest, said, "Academia is a breeding ground for deep tech innovations and as a leading deep tech investor in India, we are excited to partner with BITS Pilani in an innovative programme to foster the next generation of deep science and deep tech entrepreneurs."
Rajaram further adds, "Shaping holistic founders who understand technology and business will be a critical link for the current decade of India Deep Tech to be successful. Having invested in multiple deep tech start-ups at the early stage, including those in spacetech, electric mobility, batteries, robotics, and semiconductors, amongst others, we look forward to playing an active role in helping PhD students ideate, build, iterate and commercialize innovations that have a large-scale impact on India and the world."
The scholars will be working in various centres of excellence that BITS has already set up in Semiconductors, Bio-Cyber Physical Systems, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Medical Diagnostics and Infectious Diseases, amongst others. The scholars would be supported through a much higher stipend and would be provided a prototyping grant during the program.
Suresh Kabra, alumnus of the 82-87 batch, under the auspices of Prof. Dr. Suman Kapoor Memorial Charitable Trust, has decided to sponsor three women Ph.D. Scholars with innovative ideas in the Biological Sciences area, along with the seed funds. Kabra said, "BITS Pilani has a strong entrepreneurial culture amongst the undergraduate levels and in the alumni community. With PhD and post-doc scholars being encouraged to set up a venture, it will augur well for its campuses' deep science innovation ecosystem. The industry needs application of fundamental research being done at Ph.D. level and this is a step in the right direction."
The admission for this program will be round the year and notifications for the program shall be posted on BITS website and its social media channels. BITS Pilani is leveraging its strong alumni network and corporate partners for funding and mentorship support.
BITS Pilani is an institution of eminence that offers science, technology, and management programs from its five campuses – Pilani, Dubai, Goa, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. In 2021, it launched the BITS School of Management (BITSoM), a new-age global business school, and in 2023, it began offering programs in Law through the BITS Law School (BITSLaw). It also offers programs to working professionals in more than 300 companies through its Work Integrated Learning Programs.
