On August 12, 2024, a U.S. delegation led by Ms. Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), visited the Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) at IIT Delhi. The visit highlighted the collaborative efforts between India and the U.S. in fostering defence innovation and supporting start-ups and MSMEs.
In a significant step towards bolstering defense innovation ties between India and the United States, a U.S. delegation led by Ms. Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), visited the Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) on August 12, 2024. The visit, held at IIT Delhi, showcased the cutting-edge technologies and innovations emerging from India’s thriving start-up ecosystem, facilitated by iDEX.
During the visit, the U.S. delegation, accompanied by Indian officials led by Shri Amit Satija, Joint Secretary (Defence Production), explored the various innovations on display. The iDEX team presented an overview of their initiatives, emphasizing the organization’s role in creating a robust defense innovation ecosystem. By engaging with over 450 start-ups and MSMEs, iDEX has become a cornerstone of India’s defense sector, driving the development of deep-tech technologies.
Ms. Isabel Casillas Guzman, the 27th Administrator of the U.S. SBA, expressed her admiration for the start-up showcase and the success of the iDEX scheme in transforming India’s defense innovation landscape. She highlighted the SBA’s interest in exploring collaborative avenues with iDEX and its start-ups, particularly during the upcoming summit aimed at fostering international partnerships.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent federal agency dedicated to supporting small businesses through various financing options, including micro-lending, debt, and equity investment capital. This visit underscores the growing collaboration between the U.S. and India in the defense sector, particularly through initiatives like INDUS-X (India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem). INDUS-X focuses on strengthening technology partnerships and defense industrial cooperation between the two countries, with key initiatives including joint innovation projects and capacity building for start-ups.
iDEX has played a pivotal role in India’s defense sector, with successful projects leading to procurement worth over Rs 2,300 crore cleared by the Ministry of Defence. The initiative aligns with the Make in India drive, supporting young innovators and contributing to the vision of a self-reliant, developed India (Viksit Bharat).
The visit by the U.S. delegation to iDEX-DIO marks a significant milestone in India-U.S. defense collaboration. As both nations continue to strengthen their technology partnership, initiatives like iDEX and INDUS-X are set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of defense innovation, driving growth, and fostering a global defense ecosystem.
