Marking a major step towards realizing India’s goal of global leadership in Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM), the Hardware products think tank EPIC Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, founded by HCL Founders Dr. Ajai Chowdhry and Arjun Malhotra has signed an MoU with Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics (VµE), the globally renowned innovation partner and the largest cross-location R&D alliance for microelectronics in Europe. Reinforcing EPIC’s vision of making India a ‘Product Nation’ by creating a self-sustaining electronics ecosystem in India and promoting domestic manufacturing, the strategic collaboration will provide further stimulus to creating an enabling environment and instrument for leapfrogging of technology through the combined strengths of Indian and German research capability.
Marking the beginning of a long-term partnership aimed at enhancing India’s global position in the semiconductor and electronics sector, The MoU was signed during the Indo-German Workshop on “Draft Charter and Roadmap for EPIC-Fraunhofer Collaboration in Electronics Manufacturing and Semiconductor Ecosystem” today at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The event presented a clutch of senior dignitaries from the Government of India, visionary leaders and academia as keynote speakers including Guest of Honour Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, Member, National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), Honorary Advisor to Govt. of Andhra Pradesh (Cabinet Rank), Former Chairman of the Defense Research and Development Organisation of India (DRDO), Chief Guest Shri Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary, MeitY, and CEO, India Semiconductor Mission; Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs; Shri Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary, MeitY; Keynote address organised Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani; and Prof. Dr. Albert Heuberger, Executive Director, Fraunhofer IIS, among other prominent thought leaders and officials.
Fraunhofer, a trusted innovation partner in India, has been collaborating with major players across various sectors. The strategic partnership between Fraunhofer and EPIC aims to empower India’s ESDM industry by leveraging Fraunhofer’s expertise in microelectronics, including sensors, MEMS, opto-electronics, and more – key areas emphasized by the Indian government for indigenous semiconductor development. This collaboration is set to revolutionize the production of high-quality semiconductor devices, capitalizing on Fraunhofer’s strengths in CMOS design, packaging, reliability, and testing, while also focusing on skilling and capacity building in these critical areas
Dr. Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman EPIC Foundation said, “India’s ESDM sector is pivotal to achieving the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision, focusing on technological advancements and self-reliance. To power next wave of growth in domestic ESDM sector in this techade, it is crucial that we focus on R&D and next-generation tech innovation and accelerate our journey towards Amrit kaal of high growth as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today’s collaboration underscores our commitment to leveraging technology and research capabilities for sustainable growth and creating a self-reliant digital economy as we aim to build a robust ecosystem that will drive growth, create jobs and build future ready talent.”
“We have embarked on an ambitious journey to reduce dependency on foreign imports and create a wholesome ESDM ecosystem within India by joining hands with Fraunhofer who are known for their unique diversity of expertise and infrastructure. We are confident that our collaborative efforts, driven by a shared vision, will propel India’s electronics industry towards global leadership and strategic autonomy, revolutionizing the sector and cementing our position as a major player in the global market.” He further added.
The partnership will comprehensively analyze India’s electronics sector, identifying strengths and opportunities to enhance manufacturing, R&D, innovation, and knowledge ecosystems to create a strategic roadmap for establishing Electronics Innovation Clusters (EICs) nationwide. By fostering researcher mobility, the partnership will work towards developing a skilled workforce adept in international standards and future technologies. In order to speed up the process of taking ideas from concept to commercialization, this partnership will also support industry sponsored research projects aimed at closing the knowledge gap between academia and industry.
Commenting on the collaboration, Anandi Iyer, Director Fraunhofer Officer India said, “India is a strategic partner in Fraunhofer’s global innovation journey, not just a market. India presents enormous potential for cooperative R&D and technological leadership due to its thriving talent pool, expanding industrial base, and strong policy momentum. Our goal is to jointly develop technological excellence and and a robust talent pool that support India’s goals for equitable and sustainable development while also being globally competitive.”
India’s ESDM sector is witnessing rapid growth, driven by government initiatives and rising domestic demand. With a projected market size of $520 billion by 2025, the focus is on boosting domestic manufacturing and exports. EPIC has been following a robust roadmap, collaborating with state governments to implement ESDM policies and acting as a liaison between industry stakeholders and government agencies. By facilitating global partnerships and addressing key challenges, EPIC helps recalibrate policies to drive industry growth and development.
