Archive · 8 Aug 2026
India's Next Innovation Frontier: Building for the World
An important businessman in India named Harsh Mariwala wrote an essay about how India can grow stronger.
He says India has already made lots of useful apps and websites for people at home.
Now, he thinks India should build bigger and smarter things for the whole world.
He wants Indian inventors to create their own new technologies instead of copying others.
He talks about four big ideas: recycling plastic, building robots and computer chips, helping farmers grow food in a changing climate, and making healthcare cheaper and better.
India is already one of the top 40 countries for new ideas, according to a global list.
But India spends very little money on research — under one percent of all its money.
The author says India needs to be patient and let good ideas grow over many years.
He believes if India works hard on science and big challenges, it can become a world leader.
Harsh Mariwala, Chairman of Marico, argues India's next growth phase should focus on building in India for the world, not just domestic digital convenience.
The article identifies four innovation frontiers: circular economy and plastic alternatives, deep tech and hard engineering, agri-tech and climate-resilient systems, and inclusive healthcare and med-tech.
India ranks in the top 40 of the World Intellectual Property Organization's Global Innovation Index.
India's total research expenditure sits at under 1% of GDP, far behind leading global innovation hubs.
The piece calls for patient capital, strong industry-academia partnerships, and a cultural shift across corporate, academic, and investment ecosystems.
- Who
- Harsh Mariwala, Chairman of Marico and founder of the Marico Innovation Foundation, writing an opinion piece urging Indian entrepreneurs and innovators to build for the world.
- What
- An argument that India's next phase of growth should focus on creating its own IP, mastering deep tech, and tackling complex global challenges rather than only domestic digital conveniences.
- When
- Not explicitly specified; the article discusses the next phase of India's economic growth following a decade of digital transformation.
- Where
- India, with solutions aimed at global markets.
- Why
- To achieve global leadership and long-term economic power by owning technology and IP, and to meet urgent national priorities that align with massive global demand.
- Author
- Harsh Mariwala
- Author Role
- Chairman of Marico and founder of the Marico Innovation Foundation
- Core Argument
- India should build in India for the world, creating its own IP and mastering deep tech with industrial discipline
- Innovation Frontiers
- Circular economy, deep tech and hard engineering, agri-tech, and inclusive healthcare/med-tech
- Global Innovation Index Rank
- Top 40 (World Intellectual Property Organization)
- Research Expenditure
- Under 1% of GDP
- Required Conditions
- Patient capital, industry-academia partnerships, support for bold long-term ideas