India’s path to Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence technology rests on strong collaboration between academia, startups, MSMEs, and industry. To strengthen this vision, the Technology Development Fund (TDF) of DRDO, Ministry of Defence, is organizing a special outreach session with leading Delhi universities and colleges.

About TDF

The Technology Development Fund (TDF), implemented by DRDO, provides grant-in-aid support to startups, MSMEs, and academic institutions for the development of cutting-edge defence technologies. It bridges the gap between innovation and deployment, empowering the private sector to actively contribute to India’s defence preparedness.

Why Delhi Outreach?

Delhi is home to some of India’s most prestigious universities and incubation ecosystems—ranging from University of Delhi, Delhi Technological University, GGSIPU, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, and Hansraj College. These institutions not only nurture a vast student and research base but also foster innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship through strong startup ecosystems.

This outreach aims to:

A. Connect innovators, researchers, and student entrepreneurs with TDF opportunities.

B. Showcase pathways from ideation to deployment in defence technologies.

C. Highlight the role of faculty-led incubators in bridging academia–industry–defence collaboration.

D. Empower youth to contribute to Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence.

Key Highlights of the Webinar

i. TDF Scheme Overview – DRDO expert explains funding opportunities and defence sector needs.

ii. Panel Discussion – Representatives from Delhi’s top universities and incubation centres share their role in shaping defence innovation.

iii. Interactive Q&A – Participants get the opportunity to engage directly with experts.

iv. Concluding Remarks – DRDO and Finovista wrap up the session with key takeaways.

Who Should Attend?

A. Students & Researchers eager to explore defence innovation.

B. Startups & MSMEs working in deeptech and dual-use technologies.

C. Academia & Incubators seeking collaboration opportunities.

D. Industry Stakeholders interested in building India’s defence ecosystem.

Organizers

This webinar is jointly hosted by DRDO’s Directorate of TDF and its implementation partner Finovista, as part of their mission to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration across India’s defence R&D landscape.

Register Now and Join us on 08th October 2025 to explore how Delhi’s academic and innovation ecosystem can play a transformative role in advancing indigenous defence technologies.