Defence India Startup Challenge 5.0 launched

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CategoryDefence

Last Updated20/08/2021

Defence minister launched Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) 5.0 under Innovations for Defence Excellence - Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO).
35 Problem Statements–13 from the Services and 22 from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) – were unveiled under DISC 5.0.
These are in areas such as Situational awareness, Augmented Reality, AI, 5G network, Under-water domain awareness, Drone SWARMS and Data Capturing.

iDEX aims at creation of an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia.
iDEX also provide them grants/funding and other support to carry out R&D which has good potential for future adoption for Indian defence and aerospace needs.
iDEX will be funded and managed by a ‘Defence Innovation Organization (DIO)’.
DIO has been formed as a ‘not for profit’ company as per Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 for this purpose, by the two founder members i.e. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs):

iDEX will function as the executive arm of DIO, carrying out all the required activities while DIO will provide high level policy guidance to iDEX.
Ministry of Defence has earmarked an amount of Rs 1000 crore for domestic procurement through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative for the financial year 2021-2022.

Facilitate rapid development of new, indigenized, and innovative technologies for the Indian defence and aerospace sector, to meet needs for these sectors in shorter timelines.

Create a culture of engagement with innovative startups, to encourage co-creation for defence and aerospace sectors.

Empower a culture of technology co-creation and co-innovation within the defence and aerospace sectors.

The launch of DISC 5.0 by iDEX-DIO comes three years after the launch of DISC 1.0.
The launch of DISC 5.0 is a massive leap towards leveraging the startup ecosystem to develop India’s defence technologies, equipment design and manufacturing capabilities.
It will encourage startups to become more attuned to innovative concepts and inculcate the approach of creative thinking in India’s budding entrepreneurs.