About Nesta

Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

At a glance: opportunities in India

GIPA Opportunities

“One of India’s greatest strengths is that there is no dearth of problems. There is genuine opportunity for the private sector to scale up, for people to create businesses.”

Innovation is a government priority

Prime Minister Singh declared 2010-2020 as the ‘decade of innovation’ and flagship programmes like ‘Startup India’, ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Skill India’ are being implemented by current Prime Minister Modi.

Stable support system to enhance knowledge building

There has been an increased emphasis on developing knowledge through the formation of strategic partnerships, increasing tech imports, and building stronger regional and international relationships.

Increases in funding for innovation

This is true for both the public and private sector, with a huge emphasis placed on startups; year on year, startups are receiving over 100% more funding (but it should be noted there is a decline in seed funding). This combined with efforts to increase knowledge are helping to grow one of the largest startup ecosystems in the world.

An economy primed for innovation

India’s economy is currently stable, with low inflation, and a conducive environment for business.

Large, young aspirational population

With a population of 1.3 billion, India has the world’s largest young population but faces the danger of not harnessing this potential.

Authors

Juan Casasbuenas

Juan Casasbuenas

Juan Casasbuenas

Curriculum and Content Manager

Juan was a Curriculum and Content Manager supporting the Digital Frontrunners and Global Innovation Policy Accelerator programmes.

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Anna Schlimm

Anna Schlimm

Anna Schlimm

Learning Experience Designer, Global Innovation Policy Accelerator

Anna was a Learning Experience Designer for the Global Innovation Policy Accelerator.

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Paulina Gonzalez-Ortega

Paulina Gonzalez-Ortega

Paulina Gonzalez-Ortega

Design Lead, International Innovation

Paulina was the Design Lead for the Global Innovation Policy Accelerator, a 14-country collaborative development programme for senior innovation policymakers.

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Florence Engasser

Florence Engasser

Florence Engasser

Senior Foresight Analyst

Florence was a senior foresight analyst within Nesta’s Discovery Hub, which aims to create a link between Nesta’s current portfolio and our pipeline of future work.

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Nathan Kably

Nathan Kably

Nathan Kably

Senior Strategy Analyst

Nathan worked on the design and delivery of Nesta's strategy

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