The Technology Development Fund (TDF), an initiative of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, aims to accelerate self-reliance in defence technologies. It provides grant-in-aid funding to startups, MSMEs, and academia to bridge the gap between ideation and deployment, enabling wider private sector participation in strengthening India’s defence preparedness.

About the Haryana Outreach
This edition of TDF Outreach is dedicated to Haryana-based universities and colleges, recognized for their academic excellence, research orientation, and startup incubation ecosystems. The goal is to connect with Haryana’s vibrant student entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators to foster awareness and participation in the TDF scheme while strengthening academia–industry–defence collaboration.

Role of Finovista
Finovista, as an implementation partner to the Directorate of TDF, DRDO, is organizing a series of virtual knowledge sessions designed specifically for startups. These sessions will cover crucial aspects such as defence sector requirements, funding opportunities, technology readiness, innovation management IP strategy, and market linkages, with a dedicated focus on the Indian Defence & Aerospace ecosystem and its evolving requirements. This platform aims to bring together key stakeholders—government agencies, private sector companies, MSMEs, startups, academic institutions, experts, and industry associations—to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange that accelerates developing and deploying cutting-edge defence technologies.

Key Discussion Areas
•  Leveraging Haryana universities’ incubation ecosystems to accelerate defence innovation.
•  Understanding TDF funding opportunities for startups and academic researchers.
•  Role of faculty-driven incubators in bridging academia and industry for defence R&D.
•  Success stories and pathways from idea to deployment.
•  Empowering students and researchers to contribute to Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence.

Stakeholders
•  Central Agencies: DRDO, MoD, Armed Forces representatives
•  Haryana Academia: GJU, MDU, YMCA, MRU, IIIT Sonipat, and MMU affiliated incubators
•  Technology Providers: Startups, MSMEs, defence & aerospace companies
•  Innovation Hubs: Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Innovation & Incubation Centre (PDUIIC), Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship (CIIE), J. C. Bose Technology Business Incubator, Manav Rachna Research Innovation & Incubation Centre (MRIIC)