Research industry collaboration urged to speed market-ready innovation, says Jitendra Singh

Union minister Jitendra Singh said research institutions, industry and startups needed closer coordination. Singh said this could speed up turning science into products and public gains. Singh linked this effort to national development outcomes and wider economic benefits. Singh spoke during an industry interaction held alongside the RISE Conclave 2026 in Bengaluru.

Representative image

Singh also urged company leaders to work with research bodies more often. Singh said industry should help set the country’s scientific agenda. Singh said the aim went beyond publishing research work. Singh said the goal was to build technologies, enterprises and solutions for jobs, competitiveness and better living standards.

Startup ecosystem and Startup India programme in focus

Singh said schemes like the 2015 Startup India programme built a more supportive system. Singh said this helped India use its demographic dividend. Singh added that the same ecosystem could support India’s push to become a global innovation hub. Singh linked policy support with stronger links between science and business needs.

Singh said India’s startup ecosystem grew sharply over a decade. Singh said there were about 350-400 startups around 10 years ago. Singh said the count has now reached nearly 2.3 lakh ventures. Singh said this made India the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem.

Start-up ecosystem jobs and tier-2 and tier-3 cities growth

Singh said the startup movement became a key source of jobs. Singh said startups created nearly 24-25 lakh jobs in the last 10 years. Singh also said innovation spread beyond large metros. Singh said over 50 per cent of India’s startups now come from tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Singh said entrepreneurship was becoming easier to access across India. Singh said commitment, passion and technology skills mattered most. Singh said people could build ventures regardless of location. Singh said formal educational qualifications were not always required for entrepreneurship in the current environment.

Shared scientific infrastructure for startups and industry access

Singh stressed the value of shared scientific infrastructure for innovators. Singh said common facilities could lower entry hurdles for startups and small firms. Singh said advanced labs built with public funds should serve as shared platforms. Singh said access should expand for industries and innovators in emerging sectors.

Singh’s remarks linked research priorities with market needs and public value. Singh said deeper cooperation could help move ideas into usable solutions faster. Singh also pointed to job creation and wider innovation beyond metros. Singh said common infrastructure and active industry participation could support this shift.

With inputs from PTI