BITS Pilani has announced the launch of an innovative PhD Programme that will culminate in the creation of a startup based on research conducted during the PhD. The programme will concentrate on the development of deep tech and deep science startup ventures that will address some of the most pressing societal and business challenges.  

The new PhD-DRIVE programme, which stands for Deep-tech Research, Innovation, Value Generation, and Entrepreneurship, will admit students with expertise in technology and science and a strong desire to launch a startup. The programme will include entrepreneurship courses, an incubation programme, funding for the development of a solution or product, and, most importantly, access to the BITS alumni network for future investments. "With this new programme, we want PhD scholars to become entrepreneurs as well as innovators, rather than just pursuing an academic career after their PhDs." "Our alumni have created over 7400 valuable startups all over the world, including 13 unicorns and a decacorn," said V. Ramgopal Rao, vice chancellor of BITS Pilani.

Through this programme, the institute hopes to incubate 100 startups by 2030. "Our current focus areas include solutions for homeland and cyber security, healthcare, the environment, agriculture, space, and energy." Many sub-domains in these areas will be of interest, such as climate change, industry 4.0, food technology, and so on. The goal is to make advanced technologies like quantum science and nanotechnology useful to people on the ground. The PhD students in this startup track will work in a centre of excellence or a specialised lab at BITS Pilani," Roa added.

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 startup, and also create opportunities for them to seek further investments.

Suresh Kabra, alumnus of 82-87 batch, under the auspices of 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. “BITS Pilani has a strong entrepreneurial culture amongst the undergraduate levels and in the alumni community. With Ph.D. and post-doc scholars being encouraged to set up a venture, it will augur well for the deep science innovation ecosystem on its campuses. The industry needs application of fundamental research being done at Ph.D. level and this is a step in the right direction,” Kabra said.