Real-world problems present the most promising opportunities for deep-tech implementation

India exists at the point where technology and sustainability merge together. “Real-world problems including water security and energy systems and food sustainability and urban infrastructure development present the most promising opportunities for deep-tech implementation,” says Navkaran Singh Bagga, CEO & Founder, AKVO in an exclusive interaction with Bizz Buzz.

India’s technology sector is evolving rapidly—from AI to deep-tech. As an entrepreneur, where do you see the most exciting opportunities emerging for sustainable innovation?

India exists at the point where technology and sustainability merge together. Real-world problems including water security and energy systems and food sustainability and urban infrastructure development present the most promising opportunities for deep-tech implementation. The upcoming decade requires technological solutions for human existence maintenance after AI transformed our communication methods. The country stands to leapfrog traditional systems through its investments in atmospheric water technology alongside renewable power systems and bio-based materials and circular economic frameworks. Sustainable innovation for me means shifting away from uncontrolled growth toward growth which serves responsibility. Entrepreneurs who link deep technology advancements with essential human requirements starting with water purification systems will build both domestic social impact and international business success.

With the government pushing ‘Make in India’ and indigenous innovation, how do you see policies shaping the future of the tech industry, especially in critical sectors like climate-tech and water-tech?

Native hardware and climate-tech ventures receive fertile ground from the ‘Make in India’ initiative which extends beyond being a slogan. The government supports local manufacturing through PLI incentives and renewable energy targets and R&D grants. Water-tech will gain more market adoption through supportive policies which focus on sustainability measures and green building regulations and decentralized water management systems. The government’s net-zero goals provide climate-tech innovators with possibilities to work with national missions. Capital subsidies alone are insufficient policy support because the government should implement pilot programs alongside faster approval processes and performance-based incentive systems. The combination of policy support and entrepreneurial spirit will position India as a worldwide leader in climate-tech innovation.

Technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain are reshaping industries. How do you foresee these playing a role in advancing sustainable infrastructure and water-tech solutions?

AI, IoT and blockchain have advanced from being buzzwords to become essential resilience tools. AI technology enables the prediction of yield efficiency through temperature and humidity data analysis to maximize energy efficiency. The IoT system provides instant data monitoring for atmospheric water generators which leads to better uptime tracking and predictive maintenance capabilities. Blockchain technology establishes a transparent system that delivers accountability when projects involve government entities or major corporations. These technologies form “smart sustainability” which produces decentralized systems that are trackable and scalable. Akvo implements IoT dashboards for its AWGs and AI implementation represents our upcoming development step to enhance predictive accuracy. The future of water-tech development will depend on data collection rather than device-centric approaches.

India is positioning itself as a hub for both software and hardware innovation. Where do you think the biggest gaps and opportunities lie for entrepreneurs?

The nation has demonstrated its ability in software development but it has not given sufficient attention to developing hardware products. The main challenge arises from hardware manufacturing capabilities and advanced supply chain systems and complete hardware delivery systems. The main business opportunity exists in this space. Several critical sectors such as semiconductors and renewable energy hardware and EV infrastructure and climate-tech devices need development but they show great market potential. The solution requires Indian software excellence to unite with local hardware development which should result in AI-powered equipment and IoT-connected devices and large-scale clean technology solutions. Entrepreneurs who bridge this gap will enable India to both meet global demand and establish standards for affordable sustainable hardware development.

As someone leading a tech-driven sustainability venture, what advice would you give to young entrepreneurs looking to enter the technology sector today?

My advice is to avoid developing technology just for its own sake but instead focus on solving a genuine issue. The next generation of unicorn companies will be "impact unicorns" which focus on resolving water, energy, waste, and food-related problems. The path to company success demands engineers to develop resilience through their ability to unite engineering expertise with business acumen and demonstrate both strength and adaptability. Your company should establish a global presence at its inception because today's global problems need solutions that can reach worldwide markets. Modern businesses must adopt sustainability as their fundamental operational foundation. The DNA of young entrepreneurs needs to integrate responsibility as a fundamental element. Capital and credibility along with customers will naturally follow when you achieve this approach.

What, in your view, will define the next decade of the Indian tech industry—scale, sustainability, or global competitiveness?

The upcoming decade will witness the unification of all three elements which include scale and sustainability alongside global competitiveness. Any attempt to achieve scale through unsustainable means will fail from environmental strain yet sustainability without growth potential remains limited to a specific market segment. The Indian market can succeed through showing that large-scale operations can be maintained alongside responsible practices. Our tech industry must merge international expansion goals with domestic applicability as it builds renewable energy systems and water generation capabilities alongside AI healthcare solutions. The defining anchor for my perspective is sustainability because it enables scale growth and global market access while establishing Indian technology as superior through its price-quality-future-readiness combination. This approach enables India to take the leadership position.

What role do you believe deep-tech startups like AKVO can play in redefining India’s global position in the technology ecosystem?

Akvo along with similar deep-tech startups transforms India from its role as an outsourcing destination to establish itself as a technological powerhouse which develops global marketable innovations. Through IoT and AI-based monitoring and renewable power integration our company extracts water from air to address water shortages. The solution addresses a worldwide need since water scarcity affects multiple countries in the Middle East and Africa and Latin America. The startups display India's capability to produce elite intellectual property and hardware solutions and climate technology innovations. Deep-tech ventures enable India to progress from following other countries to becoming a technological leader in the worldwide industry through their combination of local manufacturing with export-oriented goals.

EoM.