US SBA Delegation Visits iDEX-DIO, Praises India’s Defence Innovation Efforts

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 13th August. A U.S. delegation led by Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), visited the Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) at IIT Delhi on August 12, 2024. The visit included a techno-showcase and discussions with the Indian team led by Shri Amit Satija, Joint Secretary of Defence Production.

The delegation received an overview of iDEX, which has developed a robust defence innovation ecosystem by engaging startups and MSMEs in deep-tech advancements. Guzman praised iDEX for its role in galvanizing India’s defence innovation sector and expressed interest in exploring collaborative opportunities with iDEX and its startups during an upcoming summit.

The U.S. SBA, an independent federal agency, provides various financing options to support small businesses. The visit highlighted the INDUS-X (India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem) initiative, which aims to strengthen technology partnerships and defence industrial cooperation between the two nations through joint innovation projects and capacity building for startups.

iDEX has successfully engaged over 450 startups and MSMEs, with the Ministry of Defence approving procurement worth over ₹2,300 crore for successful projects. This initiative supports the Make in India drive and contributes to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.