Overview
- Piyush Goyal said the upcoming second Startup Fund of Funds is intended to prioritize early-stage deep-tech so founders can retain larger ownership stakes.
- He cited the Rs 1 lakh crore Anusandhan Fund as a vehicle to finance long-horizon research and transformative projects.
- The minister argued for developing indigenous technologies and controlling critical inputs to avoid over-dependence on specific foreign geographies.
- He pointed to recent disruptions, including COVID, as evidence of the need for resilient supply chains and technological self-reliance.
- Goyal noted India's expanding digital base and talent pipeline, and referenced a fresh Rs 10,000 crore allocation with prior AIF commitments exceeding Rs 91,000 crore as details of the new fund are being finalized.