30 Defence Startups Present Their Funding Pitch Before Investors On Day-3 Of Ahmedabad Design Week 3.0

The Ahmedabad Design Week (ADW) 3.0 organised by Karnavati University culminated on a promising note as 30 defence-sector start-ups pitched in their business plans to the investors at the three-day design confluence, themed around ‘Design and Innovation in Defence and Aerospace’. Defence-sector start-ups at various stages pitched their ideas and innovations in various defence-related applications, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), drones, aeromodelling, surveillance and high-temperature firefighting applications, among various others. The presentations were attended by investors from GVFL, GCCI, CII and other industry experts.

The design convention has been organised by Karnavati University, in association with Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat, and DRDO, Government of Gujarat and DA Group.

The day started with a speaker session by illustrious art director, Mr Nitin Zihani Choudhary, who shared his art exploration journey that landed him with a critically acclaimed movie, ‘Tumbbad’.

“To learn and then unlearn makes the entire process of design. I don't control my drawing. I don't guide my pen. I look for beauty in reality and take up films that challenges me. If you want to make a good film, you need time, money and passion,” Choudhary advised the eager youngsters who grabbed the opportunity to interact with him.

The second presentation was by Mr Kedar Nimkar, Head of Design, Jupiter, who delivered a detailed presentation titled ‘Back to Design for Everyone’, for budding designers and innovators.

The third speaker session by Satish Gokhale, Head of Product Design, Design Directions, left the students and design enthusiasts spellbound, as he showcased his latest product, a water drone. The device is a battery-powered self-propelled Life Buoy/ water drone — which will be demonstrated at the upcoming Defence Expo in Gandhinagar on March 10 and even tested at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.

“We have made products that save lives, we have made products that can take life,” said Ghokhle while presenting his case study on product design. “Design is about tweaking a process,” he added.

The panel discussion on ‘Design Technology Innovation - A merger to intensify design for defence’ saw insightful discussions by renowned panelists like Mr Amit Krishn Gulati, an award-winning industrial designer, entrepreneur and educator; Prof. Dhiraj Kumar, Director at National Institute of Design (NID), Bhopal; Mr Satish Gokhale, Head of Product Design, Design Directions; Dr Sushil Chandra, Scientist 'G', INMAS, DRDO; and Mr Rahul Dutta, an NID alumnus who uses ‘art, design and technology to change perception of our reality’.

While Mr Gulati emphasizes that the outcomes from collaborations are better, Mr Gokhale explained the need for advance planning in design and that ‘there is no option of not designing’ in a world that is rapidly changing and demanding more efficiency by the day.

Prof. Dhiraj shed light on accessing threat and making design for solution whereas Mr Rahul Dutta called for use of latest technologies for better life experience and work experience. Dr Chandra termed Metaverse for defence a ‘wonderful thing’. The panel discussion was moderated by Prof Lolita Dutta from Karnavati University.

The valedictory ceremony of ADW 3.0 saw speakers from the industry, government and academia. Addressing the audience during the concluding session, Dr Rutvij Patel, Executive Director, United Group and co-spokesperson, BJP Gujarat, said: “ADW 3.0 has accelerated the efforts to realise the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Young innovators and designers must make our India strong through the ‘Make in India’ in defence and contribute to making our country a global hub of manufacturing in defence sector.”

Hailing the young designers and innovators at ADW 3.0, Mr. Harsh Sanghvi, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Gujarat, said:  Drone technology is one of the most sought-after sectors in defence and has a lot of scope. I have seen many ideas today at ADW that can be developed for the safety and security of our Gujarat and the country.”

The concluding session also saw inspiring words by Mr Milapsinh Jadeja, Founder, Iroller Capital Pvt Ltd; Mr Vaibhav Shah, Chairman, TiE Ahmedabad and MD, Monarch Networth Capital Ltd; Mr Vinod Agrawal, Chairman, CII Gujarat State Council and MD, Arunaya Organics Pvt Ltd; Mr Pathik Patwari, Sr. Vice President, GCCI and director, Nexus Infratech Pvt Ltd and Mr Chiranjiv Patel, Managing Director, PC Snehal Group and Chairman, taskforce Committee (Construction and Infrastructure), GCII.