Deep-tech start-ups, venture capital, artificial intelligence and space technology are reshaping India’s innovation ecosystem. Hear from the investor who was among the earliest backers of companies such as Agnikul, ePlane, GalaxEye and QNu Labs.

In this episode of Digital Playbooks with Sindhu Hariharan, Sindhu speaks with Vishesh Rajaram, Managing Partner at Speciale Invest, about the rapid evolution of India’s deep-tech ecosystem and the opportunities emerging across sectors such as AI, defence, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and energy security.

Rajaram explains how Speciale Invest identified the potential of deep-tech businesses long before the sector became mainstream and discusses the firm’s investments in companies such as Agnikul, GalaxEye, ePlane and QNu Labs. He shares how investors evaluate scientific breakthroughs, manage technology risk and support founders through long development cycles.

The conversation also explores the government’s Research Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF), the growing role of academia in entrepreneurship, India’s changing innovation landscape and why globally relevant technology companies are increasingly being built from India.

Published on June 9, 2026