DR VK Rai, a retired naval officer and an expert in innovation and startup funding. They dive into the vibrant culture of innovation in India, the evolution of entrepreneurship over the past century, and explore the initiatives like the IDEX scheme of the Indian Government aimed at merging India's startup ecosystem with its defense forces. Dr. Rai shares insightful historical examples of Indian entrepreneurship, discusses the role of government funding in nurturing startups, and emphasizes the importance of conviction in entrepreneurial ventures. Tune in to learn about the current landscape of innovation in India and the potential for future advancements!This Interview was recorded at IIT Delhi during the Underwater Navigation Seminar, where I represented IIT Tirupati. The event brought together experts from the Indian Navy, innovative startups, and top government officials to discuss the future of underwater navigation and geospatial advancements. Subscribe to @RocklazConnect with Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vk-rai/?originalSubdomain=inConnect with Tanmay Shah:LinkTree(All Links): https://linktr.ee/tanmayshah28TWITTER: https://twitter.com/tanmayshah28INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/tanmayshah28/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanmayshah28/WEBSITE: https://tanmay.rocklaz.com/Virtual Art Gallery: https://oncyber.io/tanmay3D art Experience gallery: https://www.spatial.io/s/Tanmays-3D-art-Experience-63eba5cb7e9f01714b04c2e7?share=3649010529915082338Enjoy #RocklazRadio on all your favorite platforms, in Audio as well as Video: https://linktr.ee/rocklaz (Spotify, Apple Podcast, and everywhere else)--------------------Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction of Commander Dr. VK Rai01:30 - Discussion on the culture of innovation in India02:56 - Historical context of Indian entrepreneurship04:58 - The story of the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company09:01 - The impact of British colonialism on innovation10:10 - Modern initiatives like the Defence Innovation Organisation11:58 - Overview of the support available for startups from the government20:56 - The concept of "womb to tomb" funding for startups22:56 - The importance of self-belief in innovation26:30 - Personal challenges faced during PhD and career transitions28:02 - Final thoughts on the future of Indian startups and innovation