Science-led startups get longer policy runway

THE GOVERNMENT'S MOVE to formally define deep-tech startups and extend their recognition period to 20 years addresses a longstanding policy gap for firms with extended product development timelines, according to venture capital investors.

- AYANTI BERA

The revised framework, notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) last week expanding the definition of startups to include deep-tech as a subcategory, has raised the turnover cap to ₹300 crore and lengthened the recognition window from 10 years. Investors said the changes better reflect the realities of science-led businesses, which often spend more than a decade on research, testing & intellectual property creation before reaching commercial scale.