“Leaders must encourage innovation, adopt a long-term perspective, and be adaptable to change. Crucially, companies need to prioritize quality, strengthen supply chain resilience, and implement data-driven decision-making.” Yogesh Pandit, Director – Product Acceleration, FSID
Pravriddhi aims to shift India from contract manufacturing to innovation-led production. Given the existing manufacturing landscape, what are the most significant cultural and operational shifts you believe companies need to make to truly embrace this transformation?
Indian companies must create a culture that embraces calculated risk-taking, creativity, and generating intellectual property. Operationally, companies need to invest heavily in R&D, necessary infrastructure, adopt market-driven user-centric design methodologies, build and retain a skilled workforce capable of handling advanced manufacturing technologies. Leaders must encourage innovation, adopt a long-term perspective, and be adaptable to change. Crucially, companies need to prioritize quality, strengthen supply chain resilience, and implement data-driven decision-making. By making these shifts, companies can cultivate an environment where innovation thrives, moving beyond mere production to become leaders in developing cutting-edge products and solutions.
With ₹1.5 lakh crore worth of capital goods still imported annually, what specific technology gaps within the Indian manufacturing ecosystem are you most focused on bridging through Pravriddhi, and what are the key performance indicators you are tracking to measure success?
Our market survey within the capital goods sector, encompassing ten major subsectors like heavy electrical, textile machines, machine tools, printing machines, and food processing, provided a comprehensive analysis of import patterns, identifying importers, end-users, future demand, and product value. This detailed assessment revealed specific technological areas within each sub sector requiring focused development for domestic production. To develop an ecosystem of collaborative manufacturing, we created cohorts of similarly themed products, based on shared technological requirements, enabling participating industry partners to collectively produce and commercialize these products while retaining crucial know-how and infrastructure. Key performance indicators for our program include design quality, rigorously measured against market requirements, the number and value of intellectual property generated, including patents, trademarks, and design registrations, and the revenue generated by these domestically developed products.
The first Pravriddhi cohort generated 23+ IPs, showcasing significant potential. How do you ensure these IPs translate into commercially viable products and sustainable businesses, especially in the competitive global market?
The generation of over 23 intellectual properties in Pravriddhi’s inaugural cohort underscores the program’s innovative power. However, realizing their full potential necessitates a laser focus on commercial viability. To this end, Pravriddhi employs a market-driven development strategy, ensuring all IP and subsequent product development are meticulously aligned with real-world market demands. We prioritize robust IP protection, strategically drafting patents and other forms of intellectual property to maximize technological impact and market coverage. A rigorous New Product Development (NPD) process is implemented to mitigate risks, including market, product, and project risks, significantly enhancing the likelihood of market success. Multiple market touch points throughout the development cycle informs agile Go-To-Market strategies, allowing for dynamic adjustments to stay ahead of evolving market trends. Furthermore, all products are engineered to meet stringent international regulatory standards, ensuring they are not only competitive domestically but also positioned for success in the global arena. This holistic approach ensures that Pravriddhi’s innovative IP translates into thriving, sustainable businesses.
Industry-academia collaboration is central to Pravriddhi. However, bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical industrial application can be challenging. What specific strategies does FSID employ to ensure seamless knowledge transfer and effective collaboration between IISc mentors and participating companies?
FSID employs a multi-faceted strategy to ensure seamless knowledge transfer and effective collaboration between mentors and participating companies in Pravriddhi. This approach goes beyond simply connecting researchers and businesses; it focuses on creating a structured and mutually beneficial environment. Firstly, FSID establishes structured interaction frameworks, including regular meetings, workshops, and seminars specifically designed to facilitate solutioning. These events are not mere academic discussions; they are focused on problem-solving and addressing real-world industrial challenges. Secondly, Pravriddhi prioritizes projects with direct industrial relevance. By focusing on market-driven, design-led products, the program ensures that academic research is translated into practical applications that meet industry needs. Thirdly, FSID implements a rigorous New Product Development (NPD) process. This process integrates critical technical reviews by mentors and industry experts at various stages of product development. This provides participating companies with access to expert guidance and ensures that products are developed with a strong foundation in scientific principles. Fourthly, Pravriddhi incorporates a parallel skilling track using technologies like VR/AR. This ensures that academics not only mentor but also actively train R&D teams from participating companies, enabling them to effectively implement new technologies and research findings.
Scalability is a key focus for Pravriddhi. With partnerships like ARAI and VJTI, how do you envision replicating this model across diverse manufacturing sectors and regions in India, while maintaining the programme’s high standards and effectiveness?
Pravriddhi’s scalability strategy relies on a decentralized yet standardized model, leveraging strategic partnerships with other academic and research entities. Innovation hubs, built upon reputable institutions, operate as Centers of Excellence (CoEs), running themed programs and cohorts within their areas of expertise, maximizing the leverage of their specialized knowledge. A standardized program framework ensures consistent quality across all hubs, while continued partnerships with industry associations and government agencies further expand Pravriddhi’s reach. A technology-enabled platform streamlined knowledge sharing and collaboration, and a growing network of experienced mentors provides vital guidance. A data-driven evaluation system enables continuous improvement of the program and its hubs. By combining regional adaptation, leveraging COE expertise, and a standardized approach, Pravriddhi aims to replicate its successful model across diverse manufacturing sectors and regions, maintaining its high standards and effectiveness.
With the rapid pace of technological advancement, particularly in areas like AI, IoT, and advanced materials, how does FSID ensure that Pravriddhi’s curriculum and mentorship remain relevant and equip companies with the skills and knowledge needed for the future of manufacturing?
Pravriddhi program maintains a network of mentors who are experts in cutting-edge technologies, Furthermore, Pravriddhi prioritizes real-world, market-driven projects, involving mentors and companies that stay abreast of the latest advancements. Regular feedback loops from both mentors and participating companies allow for agile adjustments to mentorship strategies, ensuring they remain aligned with industry needs and emerging technologies. This combination of expert mentors, industry partnerships, and real-world application ensures Pravriddhi equips companies with the skills necessary for the future of manufacturing.
Considering the challenges faced by SMEs in accessing advanced R&D capabilities, what specific support mechanisms does Pravriddhi offer to ensure that smaller enterprises can effectively participate and benefit from the programme?
Pravriddhi specifically addresses the R&D challenges faced by SMEs through a comprehensive support system. Recognizing the prohibitive costs of establishing independent R&D capabilities, the program ensures SMEs have access to shared, state-of-the-art research infrastructure at IISc and partner institutions. Personalized mentorship from experienced researchers and industry experts guide SMEs through technology development and commercialization. Pravriddhi also provides crucial IP management support, safeguarding innovations and fostering competitive advantage. Facilitated industry-academia collaborations enable seamless knowledge transfer, while guidance on Financial facilitation and Program management along with targeted skilling initiatives further empower SMEs. In addition, Pravriddhi offers crucial support in market research, program management, and access to software tools for modeling and simulations, enabling SMEs to refine their strategies and optimize product development. The cohort-based product development approach also allows SMEs to learn from each other. These combined support mechanisms create an enabling environment for SMEs to effectively participate in Pravriddhi’s innovation ecosystem and leverage advanced R&D for growth.
