BrainSight AI cofounder calls for India’s STEM talent to build deeptech

Laina Emmanuel, cofounder of BrainSight AI, has urged India’s scientific and medical talent to collaborate more closely with engineers to build deeptech startups. Speaking at the Economic Times Startup Awards 2026 in Bengaluru, she argued that India’s strong pool of medical and STEM professionals could drive the next wave of innovation in the sector.

The call aligns with shifts in India’s edtech ecosystem, which has moved beyond test prep and online courses. Digital platforms now connect students with coaching institutes and enable YouTube-based learning, changing how education is delivered. While edtech startups have expanded access, deeptech remains a niche area where funding and talent alignment are still developing.

Bengaluru continues to lead India’s startup funding, though its share has declined slightly in 2026. Investors are backing fewer companies, even as total funding in Q3 rose 5% year-over-year. For deeptech startups, the challenge lies in turning India’s technical talent into scalable ventures—particularly as visa restrictions encourage more skilled workers to remain in the country.

Emmanuel’s remarks highlight a key question: Can India’s ecosystem create pathways for cross-disciplinary collaboration to compete globally? The answer may depend on whether startups can bridge the gap between research and commercialization.

Sources: theprint.in · economictimes.indiatimes.com