DefConnect 4.0 is being organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence - Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO), under Ministry of Defence.
Key Initiatives
- 2nd edition of Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI 2.0):
- Features: 19 challenges from the Armed Forces and allied agencies in the domains of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technology, anti-drone systems etc.
- Grants: Offers up to ₹25 crore to iDEX winners.
- Focus: 30 Critical and Strategic defence technologies.
- 12th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC 12):
- Features: 41 challenges in key technology domains: UAVs, AI, Networking and Communication.
- Grants: Offers up to ₹1.5 crore for selected innovations.
- Launched in partnership with Atal Innovation Mission to support start-ups, MSMEs, and innovators to develop prototypes and commercialize products.
- Introduces Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA) initiative for developing medical technologies for the Armed Forces.
Scheme for Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
- Launched in 2021 by MoD and implemented by DIO, a not-for-profit company, under MoD.
- Grants: Provides up to Rs. 1.50 Cr (up to Rs. 10 Cr in case of iDEX Prime) to Start-ups/MSMEs under DISC and Open Challenge through the Support for Prototype and Research Kick start (SPARK Framework).
- 26 products have been developed under iDEX, for which procurement orders worth more than Rs 1,000 crore have been placed.
