In the ever-evolving technology landscape, the mantra of the hour is: innovation thrives on collaboration.

Here, “collaboration” refers not only to the dynamics within the team, but also to relationships with startups, businesses, academic institutions, and even industries outside the team. However, a recent report suggests that only 29% of Indian corporations actively engage in partnerships with start-ups and academic institutions.

This is where initiatives like the ‘Make in India’ campaign and the ‘India AI Mission’ come in, promoting homegrown innovation and encouraging companies to collaborate across sectors. By aligning with these national goals, the interconnectedness of these sectors could create an environment where innovation is not only welcomed but becomes an intrinsic part of the corporate DNA, thus driving India to its global forefront. AI competition. For example, one study says that firms that collaborate with industry partners will increase their innovation rate by 40%.

Since technological industries where the combination of skills and perspectives often generates innovative ideas, they should be increasingly aware of the transformative power that cross-sector collaboration can bring. From startups to established giants, they must realize that developing a culture of collaboration is not just a strategic choice; it is a must for driving sustainable innovation.

Exploring the benefits

There is an obvious gap in patent filing in the country. For example, Indian DeepTech startups have only filed 900 patents since 2008. Additionally, the USTR noted in its 2024 Special 301 Report that India continues to be one of the most difficult economies to protect and enforce IP. This underlines the potential of collaborations with academic and research institutions to support businesses in obtaining patents and promoting their innovations.

Additionally, these partnerships also serve as a catalyst for breaking the innovation barrier. For example, startups bring fresh perspectives and disruptive ideas, while established companies provide resources, mentorship and a platform for scalability. This synergy can lead to the convergence of technologies, giving rise to solutions that might have struggled to gain traction in isolated environments.

Furthermore, the cross-pollination of ideas through these partnerships is crucial. It is clear that collaboration between data scientists, incubators and researchers is essential in the development of cutting-edge technologies such as generative AI.

Beyond knowledge sharing, industry-university collaboration fosters talent development. Through internships, tech festivals and industry webinars, businesses could establish a talent pipeline, creating a culture of excellence and preparing the next generation of professionals for industry challenges. For example, there are certain companies that conduct annual tech fests that have now become the exclusive recruitment model for fresh graduates in the corporate world.

Addressing the challenges

While the benefits of collaboration in technology industries are obvious, it is critical to address the challenges that may arise. Even though these collaborations are known to be mutually beneficial, many higher education institutions in India neglect industry partnerships and knowledge transfers with technology enterprises, thereby missing out on opportunities for patenting, licensing and entrepreneurship gains, despite actively conducting basic research .

This lack of interest stems from several factors. First, universities put their energy into fundamental research to create new theories, while companies focus on practical research to boost their processes for short-term profits. This could create a conflict. Second, universities want to protect their right to publish, while businesses need to protect their patents and confidential information, which could lead to friction. Furthermore, the lack of clearly defined and structured collaborative frameworks results in muddy waters, a lack of direction and obstacles to forming mutually beneficial partnerships.

To address this disparity, higher education institutions and industries should build a give and take relationship. Maintaining effective communication, establishing trust through clear agreements, and a shared vision are crucial to ensuring that collaborative efforts produce positive results. Additionally, creating an environment that values ​​diverse opinions and encourages constructive feedback is key to overcoming obstacles and driving successful collaborations.

Future roadmap

Those companies that engage with universities can access the latest research, use advanced technology, and build connections through technology events that translate into future recruiting opportunities. At the same time, Indian universities gain from this partnership by expanding their scope of research, enhancing the practical skills of students, getting internships for their young talents and receiving funds that support their academic goals. In a larger context, India would benefit from these collaborations as it could accelerate the nation’s growth in the AI ​​landscape.

Moreover, when we look ahead, collaboration between corporates and startups in India has a long way to go. These bonds have developed in recent years to include hand-holding, mentoring and even knowledge sharing. They no longer involve buying the start-up, but instead helping it grow and thrive. Therefore, many global giants have secured their ties with startups and other enterprises, knowing the merits of these collaborations.

Therefore, it is clear that whether in the field of artificial intelligence or cyber security, combining creativity, communication and a shared commitment, the collective intelligence of collaborative efforts between startups, enterprises and academia will shape the future of the technology industries.

Sandeep Agarwal, MD & Global CTO, Visionet