India's deep tech sector has seen a remarkable surge in 2025, with the number of unicorns reaching 73, up from 62 in 2024. The ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Unicorn and Future Unicorn Report 2025 highlights that deep tech startups, particularly in defence, robotics, and energy, are now a significant part of the ecosystem. These startups are characterized by their focus on cutting-edge technologies and their potential to solve complex, real-world problems. The sector's growth is driven by a combination of government support, increased venture capital investment, and a growing pool of skilled talent.

The top deep tech unicorns in India include companies like Ai.tech, which achieved unicorn status in just three years, and others such as Navi Technologies, Rapido, Netradyne, Jumbotail, DarwinBox, Vivriti Capital, Veritas Finance, Moneyview, Juspay, and Drools. These companies are not only attracting significant investment but are also setting new benchmarks for innovation and scalability.

The sectoral breakdown of unicorns in 2025 shows that FinTech remains the most dominant, with 19 startups valued at USD 50.1 billion. E-commerce follows with 12 companies worth USD 33.1 billion, and SaaS has 11 ventures valued at USD 26.9 billion. EdTech, led by PhysicsWallah and Eruditus, contributes USD 10.1 billion, while Artificial Intelligence unicorns collectively stand at USD 6.4 billion. The future pipeline indicates that FinTech will continue to lead with 29 future unicorns worth USD 12.9 billion, followed by SaaS with 22 companies valued at USD 7.4 billion, and E-commerce with 14 ventures worth USD 5.1 billion. Consumer goods, Artificial Intelligence, HealthTech, CleanTech, and Aerospace are also emerging strongly, showcasing India's expanding start-up base beyond traditional sectors.

The rise of deep tech unicorns is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in the Indian startup ecosystem. These companies are not only creating new markets but are also driving innovation and economic growth. For investors, this presents a unique opportunity to participate in the growth of high-potential, high-impact ventures.

The defence sector in India has seen a significant transformation, with the government's push for self-reliance and the Make in India initiative driving the growth of defence startups. In 2025, several defence startups have achieved unicorn status, attracting substantial investment and reshaping the sector's valuation landscape. These startups are leveraging advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, and quantum computing to develop innovative solutions for defence and security.

Key defence startups in India include companies like Netradyne, which specializes in AI-powered driver safety and fleet management solutions, and Jumbotail, which focuses on supply chain and logistics for the defence sector. These companies are not only attracting significant investment but are also setting new benchmarks for innovation and scalability.

The sectoral breakdown of unicorns in 2025 shows that defence startups are a growing segment, with several companies achieving unicorn status. The government's support through initiatives like the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) program is further boosting the sector's growth. For investors, defence startups present a unique opportunity to participate in the growth of high-potential, high-impact ventures.

The impact of defence startups on investment valuations is evident in the sectoral breakdown of unicorns. Defence startups are now a significant part of the ecosystem, with several companies achieving unicorn status and attracting substantial investment. The government's push for self-reliance and the Make in India initiative is driving the growth of defence startups, making them a key driver of innovation and economic growth.

The robotics sector in India has seen a significant surge in 2025, with several startups achieving unicorn status and attracting substantial investment. These startups are leveraging advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, and automation to develop innovative solutions for a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.

Key robotics startups in India include companies like Netradyne, which specializes in AI-powered driver safety and fleet management solutions, and Jumbotail, which focuses on supply chain and logistics for the robotics sector. These companies are not only attracting significant investment but are also setting new benchmarks for innovation and scalability.

The sectoral breakdown of unicorns in 2025 shows that robotics startups are a growing segment, with several companies achieving unicorn status. The government's support through initiatives like the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) and the ₹1 trillion RDI scheme is further boosting the sector's growth. For investors, robotics startups present a unique opportunity to participate in the growth of high-potential, high-impact ventures.

The impact of robotics startups on investment valuations is evident in the sectoral breakdown of unicorns. Robotics startups are now a significant part of the ecosystem, with several companies achieving unicorn status and attracting substantial investment. The government's push for self-reliance and the Make in India initiative is driving the growth of robotics startups, making them a key driver of innovation and economic growth.

The energy sector in India has seen a significant transformation, with the government's push for renewable energy and the India Semiconductor Mission driving the growth of energy startups. In 2025, several energy startups have achieved unicorn status, attracting substantial investment and reshaping the sector's valuation landscape. These startups are leveraging advanced technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and advanced materials to develop innovative solutions for energy generation, storage, and distribution.

Key energy startups in India include companies like Vivriti Capital, which specializes in renewable energy financing, and Veritas Finance, which focuses on energy efficiency and sustainability. These companies are not only attracting significant investment but are also setting new benchmarks for innovation and scalability.

The sectoral breakdown of unicorns in 2025 shows that energy startups are a growing segment, with several companies achieving unicorn status. The government's support through initiatives like the India Semiconductor Mission and the ₹1 trillion RDI scheme is further boosting the sector's growth. For investors, energy startups present a unique opportunity to participate in the growth of high-potential, high-impact ventures.

The impact of energy startups on investment valuations is evident in the sectoral breakdown of unicorns. Energy startups are now a significant part of the ecosystem, with several companies achieving unicorn status and attracting substantial investment. The government's push for self-reliance and the Make in India initiative is driving the growth of energy startups, making them a key driver of innovation and economic growth.

Investing in deep tech unicorns, particularly in defence, robotics, and energy, presents both significant opportunities and risks. For retail investors and financial professionals, it is crucial to understand the sectoral trends, key players, and the impact of government initiatives on valuations. The following strategies and risk considerations can help investors make informed decisions.

- Diversification: Invest in a mix of deep tech sectors to spread risk and capture growth opportunities. - Due Diligence: Conduct thorough research on the company's technology, market potential, and management team. - Long-term Perspective: Deep tech investments often require a longer time horizon to realize their full potential. - Regulatory Awareness: Stay informed about government policies and regulatory changes that can impact the sector. - Risk Management: Be prepared for volatility and potential regulatory risks in the sector.

The following table provides a comparison of key deep tech unicorns in India, including their sector, valuation, and key technologies.

The following table provides a comparison of sectoral valuations and growth metrics for deep tech unicorns in India.

The following table provides a comparison of government initiatives and their impact on deep tech unicorns in India.

Investing in deep tech unicorns requires a careful balance of risk and reward. By understanding the sectoral trends, key players, and the impact of government initiatives, investors can make informed decisions and participate in the growth of high-potential, high-impact ventures.