Science and Technology Ventures in India: Integrating NIS, SSI and Ecosystem Perspectives

Abstract

The study traces the emergence of science and technology ventures (STVs) in India through two systemic lenses—National Innovation System (NIS) perspective, which espouses a top-down, policy-driven approach to encourage STVs, and the ecosystem perspective, which highlights the role of independent organisations in nucleating STVs. Converging the NIS and ecosystem perspectives—at sectoral levels—is found to be germane for STV emergence. The sectoral systems of innovation (SSI) perspective is then advanced to emphasise how the integration of NIS and ecosystem approaches has enabled a thriving STV landscape in India. The case of biotech sector is discussed to illustrate the integration. Based on this analysis, the study advocates policy intervention at the sectoral level, and a thrust on firm-centric innovation as a complement to investments in fundamental research, to unleash a wave of STVs in the country.