Nothing signs MoUs with IIT Roorkee and IISc-FSID to boost India’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem
London-based consumer technology company Nothing has signed two strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and the Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to accelerate India’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem.The agreements were formalised during Bharat Innovates 2026 held in Nice, France, a global platform organised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The event showcases India’s emerging deep-tech startups and brings together international investors, policymakers, and research institutions ahead of the G7 Summit.The ceremony was attended by senior dignitaries including Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood, and Harish Salve, Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Roorkee. The MoUs were signed by Nothing Co-founder and India President Akis Evangelidis alongside leadership from IIT Roorkee and IISc.Speaking on the development, Evangelidis said the future of innovation will depend on stronger collaboration between academia, startups, and industry. He noted that Nothing aims to contribute its global product-building experience to help students and researchers transform ideas into scalable technologies.Focus on mentorship, startups, and hands-on innovationUnder the partnership with Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Nothing will support innovation-focused initiatives including mentorship programmes, expert lectures, industry case studies, and knowledge-sharing sessions. The collaboration will focus on areas such as entrepreneurship, deep-tech innovation, product engineering, and electronic design.The partnership also includes plans for a jointly organised Industrial Design Challenge, aimed at giving students hands-on exposure to consumer technology design and real-world innovation processes. Officials said the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements.Meanwhile, the collaboration with Indian Institute of Science and its Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID) will focus on engaging with incubated startups. The programme will include mentorship, networking opportunities, startup support initiatives, and potential pilot or commercial collaborations.The partnership will also enable industry exposure for students and founders through guest lectures, training sessions, and possible visits to Nothing’s global facilities.Strengthening India’s deep-tech ecosystemAccording to both partners, the MoUs reflect a shared commitment to strengthening India’s innovation pipeline by connecting academia, startups, and global industry expertise. The initiative aims to accelerate research commercialisation and deepen entrepreneurial capabilities within India’s growing technology ecosystem.Officials said the collaboration is aligned with broader national efforts to position India as a global hub for deep-tech innovation and talent development. By combining academic excellence with industry experience, the initiative is expected to create pathways for students and startups to build globally competitive technologies.Founded in London, Nothing has positioned itself as a fast-growing consumer technology brand focused on design-led innovation in smartphones and audio products. The company stated that its engagement with Indian institutions reflects its long-term commitment to supporting emerging innovators in one of the world’s fastest-growing technology markets.
