Page 7 - Intel - Powering Innovation to scale

Nivruti Rai
Country Head, Intel India, and Vice President, Data Platforms Group, Intel Corporation
FOREWORD
I’ve always said that if you dream, you should dream big. There is a certain magic and power that comes from being bold. In addition, I have always been an optimist and a problem solver. That is why it is extremely heartening to see how the world has rallied together to face the challenges of these times, caused by COVID-19, with the adoption of technology solutions on an unprecedented scale.
For India, becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2025 is one such dream. And while we still have some distance to cover before we get there, one way this dream will be realized is through our startups, talent and our focus on innovation. India’s startup ecosystem has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade, and innovation has been instrumental in driving this growth. India is home to the third largest startup community in the world. Today, we need more path- breaking inventions from India that can put our country on the global IP map and there is no dearth of talent in India for the startup community to thrive and achieve this. India has 8% of the world’s AI talent pool and it is growing 10 times faster than the rest of the world. We have the minds to cater to the needs of the world through AI solutions. However, the need of the hour is to nurture, grow and accelerate these startups and their innovations.
The technology entrepreneurs in India should be laser focused on solving high-impact, large-scale problems. We need solutions at population scale, with dynamic and innovative business models, and reimagined customer experiences in the post pandemic world.
I expect India to be the hub for innovative deep-tech startups that are not just developing solutions for real world problems but also innovating core technologies that will help build capabilities for self-reliance. We have barely scratched the surface with technologies like AI, 5G, and autonomous systems, whose potential is immense in a country like India.
It’s been over 22 years since Intel started its journey in India and, through the years, our focus has been to grow India through innovation, and build tech products in India for the world.
Intel India through the Intel India Startup Program is at the forefront of driving India’s startup ecosystem. This coveted program builds high impact collaborations with the industry, academia and government to enable deep- tech startups in their end-to-end journey to solve challenges in India and globally.
Over the last three years, the Intel India Startup Program has worked with several high impact deep-tech startups nurturing their end-to-end journey of generating revenue, creating IPs and putting products in the market. Through this book, I am excited to share the journey of 16 of these startups, and to showcase their innovations that are creating value not just for India, but for the world.
I hope their stories inspire you to believe in the power of dreams that do come true.
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