In recent years, the Indian government, specifically the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has been active in encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in defence and aerospace sectors. A manifestation of this interest is seen in the number of applications received for the Dare to Dream contests. Over the past three years, an impressive 5,637 applications have been received under this initiative.
The Dare to Dream Contest is a national competition aimed at promoting cutting-edge ideas and innovations in these key strategic areas. This initiative provides a unique platform for individual innovators and start-ups to present ideas that can help enhance India’s defence and aerospace capabilities. Launched first in 2019, the contest has become an annual event, with the Dare to Dream 2.0 and Dare to Dream 3.0 editions rolled out in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
The Inspirational Legacy of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
An important aspect of the contest is its connection to one of India’s most loved Presidents, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The contest was initiated as a tribute to him. Known for his significant contribution to India’s space programme and grassroots level technological innovations, Dr Kalam was a strong advocate of self-reliance in defence technologies. Dare to Dream serves as a fitting tribute to his dream of an innovative and technologically advanced India.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
The Dare to Dream contest is open to a broad range of applicants, including entrepreneurs, innovators, and any individual above 18 years of age. Start-ups, particularly those engaged in emerging technology fields, are also strongly encouraged to participate.
The contest addresses specific challenges posed by the DRDO. Applicants then propose solutions to these challenges, which are evaluated based on several criteria including the proposal’s completeness, scientific soundness, and design comprehensiveness.
The merit of the proposed solution, the technological readiness level achieved, and the degree of innovation it embodies are other key factors that the evaluation panel considers. By setting such exacting standards, the contest ensures that only the most promising and practical solutions are selected for further development.
Past Participations and Future Prospects
Since its inception in 2019, the contest has seen increasing participation, both in terms of individual applicants and start-ups. This can be seen in the number of applications, which has reached a total of 5,637 over the last three years.
With each successive year, the Dare to Dream contests have been gaining traction among Indian innovators. The rising number of applications is a testament to the burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit in India, particularly in high-stakes sectors like defence and aerospace.
The contest’s rigorous selection criteria and its underlying objective of boosting India’s self-reliance in defence technologies make it a highly prestigious platform for innovators across the country. Future editions of the contest are likely to see even more participation, given the increasing interest in indigenous technological development.
