We’ll innovate when we believe
The India story will continue to disappoint as long as Indian companies put importing deep technology above building it. Yes, they need stronger university-industry linkages and more risk capital. But above all, they need to have the understanding that real research can happen here, by us
The difference is easy to see. Recently, India’s most valuable company, paused its lithium-ion battery plans because it couldn’t get Chinese technology. Meanwhile, a smaller Finnish-American group called Donut Lab showed off solid-state battery technology at CES 2026. They built this technology from the ground up by combining academic research, entrepreneurship, and steady investment. These two stories show why innovation works in some places and struggles in others.
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This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
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