Speakers call for stronger push on R&D, innovation at CII AP conclave in Tirupati

Hanumanthu Purushotham, Secretary, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, addressing the CII AP Innovation and R&D Conclave in Tirupati on Thursday. | Photo credit: KV Poornachandra Kumar

The state has the potential to increase its investment in research and development and build a stronger research and innovation ecosystem through coordinated efforts involving industry, academia and start-ups, said Hanumanthu Purushotham, secretary, department of science, technology and innovation, government of Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing the third annual ‘CII AP Innovation and R&D Conclave’ held here on Thursday, he said there is a need to significantly boost investment in research and innovation. While advanced economies invested substantially higher shares of their GDP, India’s R&D spending remained at just 0.7% of GDP, he noted.

The department is working on a new science, technology and innovation policy for Andhra Pradesh to strengthen the state’s research and innovation value chain, he said.

CII Chairman AP Narendra Kumar identified innovation as an important driver of industrial competitiveness, economic growth, productivity, employment and opportunities in the global market. “We need to create stronger partnerships between large industries and startups, where industry can provide real challenges for which startups can develop innovative technology solutions.

M. Krishna Teja, CEO of Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH), engaged in ‘Research to Revenue’, encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the infrastructure, mentorship and ecosystem support available through RTIH, adding that startups that successfully emerge from hackathons and innovation programs can get funding opportunities of up to ₹2 crore.

Unnikrishnan, Managing Director, Saint-Gobain India – Glass Business, discussed topics such as early identification of technical opportunities and risks, process engineering, performance optimization.

AP State Quantum Mission Director Sridhar CV highlighted the growing momentum around quantum technology in the state and invited entrepreneurs and industry leaders to join the Amaravati Quantum Valley initiative.

The participants included IIT-Tirupati director KN Satyanarayana, CII Tirupati chairman SP Rajendra, CII-AP former chairman D. Ramakrishna, digital technology consultant Sunil David.

Published – 8 Oct 2026 20:52 IST