Introduction:

The landscape of international collaboration in defense and deep technology is rapidly evolving, with strategic partnerships shaping the future of innovation. A prime example is the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X), launched by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) in June 2023. This initiative unites government partners, startups, investors, and ecosystem-enabling organizations to strengthen Indo-US innovation ties.

At the forefront of this evolution was the IndusX Investors Summit, held in Delhi on November 8, 2023. This event, aligning with the fifth U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, marked a significant step in the growing relationship between the United States and India. FedTech played a critical role in bridging these two innovative powerhouses.

Overview of the Summit:

The IndusX Investors Summit was a dynamic event aimed at connecting prime contractors, investors, and startups. A significant number of deep tech investors, prime contractors, and key government bodies such as Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX), Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the US Embassy, and the Indian Ministry of Defense participated. The event drew over 70 participants, underscoring the strong interest in US-India collaboration.

Key discussions at the summit included the US-India Joint Innovation Fund, with notable remarks from Doug Beck, Director of DIU, and Vivek Virmani, Planning Officer and COO of the Defense Innovation Organization. Their insights showcased the depth of engagement across sectors and highlighted the collaborative efforts driving forward innovation and defense technology between the two nations.

FedTech's Active Engagement:

FedTech, a pioneer in deeptech acceleration, has been expanding its presence in international markets, exemplified by its active participation at the IndusX Investors Summit. Earlier this year, our involvement in the region was highlighted by Ben Solomon's participation as a panelist at an IndusX Summit event during Indian Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to the US in June 2023. This summit was a continuation of our deepening engagement to further Indo-US innovation collaboration.

What FedTech Did at the Summit:

At the summit, FedTech engaged in three key events:

1. Closed-door investor roundtable
2. Startup pitching
3. Launch of the Gurukul Series

During these events, we shared our insights and learned about the current ecosystem, including the focuses of VCs and offerings of startups. This active participation helped us deepen our understanding of US-India innovation collaboration needs and opportunities.

What We Achieved:

Our engagement at the summit allowed us to deepen our ties with key actors in the ecosystem. This experience has built momentum for our upcoming participation in the Carnegie Global Technology Summit in Delhi from December 4-6, 2023. There, FedTech will host a session on furthering the US-India Defense Innovation Collaboration, continuing our commitment to this vital partnership.

Reflecting and Projecting:

The IndusX Investors Summit was not just an event; it was a testament to the potential of Indo-US partnerships in shaping the future of defense and technology. The session addressed the need to harness private capital for defense innovation and equip armed forces with capabilities to defend a free and open Indo-Pacific. The launch of the INDUS-X Gurukul Education Series was a key highlight, reflecting the commitment to informing startups of new programs and opportunities through INDUS-X.

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