The Motwani Jadeja Foundation has announced its support to the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) for its new initiative, “Realizing the Potential of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership.” Spearheaded by the CNAS’s Indo-Pacific Security Program, this initiative aims to explore opportunities to elevate U.S.-India relations at a pivotal time for both nations.

With India’s growing influence on the global stage and the United States’ focus on Indo-Pacific security, this initiative provides a timely platform to reassess the bilateral relationship and generate innovative strategies to strengthen collaboration. The program will feature a series of workshops centered on critical areas such as defense cooperation, technology collaboration, supply chain resiliency, and the future of the Quad partnership.

The workshops will bring together a diverse group of experts, including policymakers, private sector leaders, and emerging voices, to focus on:

• Enhancing military cooperation: defense innovation, undersea operations, intelligence sharing, and joint naval exercises;
• Strengthening technology partnerships: particularly in semiconductors, space, and artificial intelligence;
• Addressing supply chain diversification challenges; and
• Deepening Quad collaboration to address emerging security threats.

This initiative underscores the shared vision of the United States and India in fostering peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

The Foundation is pleased to extend its support to CNAS in this effort to advance U.S.-India relations. For more details on the initiative, visit the CNAS Website.

Supported by the Motwani Jadeja Foundation, TiE Women has reached new heights by empowering women founders through an expansive global network of 64 TiE chapters. This network provides critical resources, mentorship, investor connections, and networking opportunities designed to fuel the growth of women-led businesses globally, in alignment with SDG #5 – achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

At the core of TiE Women’s success are five key pillars: Learning, Mentoring, Access to Funding, Scalability, and Community. These pillars guide female entrepreneurs from early-stage development to scaling their businesses. Through workshops, events, and international exposure, TiE Women ensures that women-led startups are equipped with the tools necessary to thrive in the competitive global market.

One of the highlights of this year’s competition was the TiE Women Global Pitch Competition, where over 3,000 applications were submitted. Forty-four Chapter Winners from across the world advanced to pitch in the semi-finals, with the winners taking the stage during the TiE Global Summit. The competition offered a total prize pool of $50,000, shared by the top three winners:

• Teri Sirset, Founder of DASI Simulations (TiE SoCal) as the winner
• Adithi Aji, Founder of Adrich, Inc (TiE Pittsburgh), as first runner-up
• Irena Kind, Founder of Surgicure Technologies (TiE Boston) as second runner-up

These winners exemplify the innovative spirit fostered by TiE Women, demonstrating the incredible potential of women-led businesses.

On the occasion of TiE Women’s successful execution of this year’s edition, MJF Founder Asha Jadeja said, “Exponential growth is possible when we combine technology-enabled entrepreneurship with world-class education, and strong women’s leadership. We must dismantle the barriers that have long held women back and create environments where women-led ventures can innovate without limitations. Our partnership with TiE Women enables us to transform challenges into opportunities, equipping women with the tools and networks they need to drive exponential change in their industries and communities.”

In addition to the pitch competition, TiE Women’s collaboration with the Motwani Jadeja Foundation has provided founders with access to the Silicon Valley ecosystem – one of the most innovative and dynamic business environments in the world. A curated group of TiE Women founders traveled to Silicon Valley, sponsored by the Foundation, to engage with global leaders in technology, business, and investment. This program offered these entrepreneurs valuable resources and connections, enabling them to scale their ventures and succeed in the global marketplace.

Through its programs and initiatives, TiE Women is not just empowering women entrepreneurs with financial backing, but also with the networks, knowledge, and support necessary for sustained success. The partnership with the Motwani Jadeja Foundation further amplifies this mission, creating a pathway for women-led businesses to innovate, grow, and drive meaningful impact in their industries and communities.

By continuing to focus on mentorship, capital access, and global exposure, TiE Women is helping women entrepreneurs overcome challenges and seize new opportunities for growth and leadership in the business world.

The Motwani Jadeja Foundation has made a transformative philanthropic contribution to the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), aimed at fostering deeper ties between the U.S. and India.

This generous donation will support the creation of innovative programs at UC San Diego’s 21st Century India Center, which is part of the School of Global Policy and Strategy. These initiatives will include the Motwani Jadeja India Fellowship, the Motwani Jadeja India Leadership Program, and the India Courses Hub—all designed to expand education on India to global audiences, enhance cross-cultural collaboration, and support impactful U.S.-India partnerships.

Expanding U.S.-India Research and Education

The Motwani Jadeja Foundation’s gift will help further establish the 21st Century India Center as a leading hub for research, education, and policy dialogue on India. UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla expressed his gratitude for the support, emphasizing that the center is home to one of the most influential groups of India policy experts in the U.S. He stated, “This generous gift will allow the center to significantly expand its research and educational impact, benefiting not only the U.S. and India but millions of people around the world.”

The Foundation’s founder, Asha Jadeja, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, noted the importance of strengthening the partnership between the U.S. and India. She said, “In this unprecedented era of collaboration between the world’s two largest democracies, new opportunities for growth and innovation are emerging in areas such as technology, defense, climate change, and development. Our partnership with UC San Diego is a critical step in fostering a vibrant corridor of academic and policy activity that will influence bilateral policies for years to come.”

Motwani Jadeja India Fellowship

One of the central elements of this gift is the creation of the Motwani Jadeja India Fellowship, a competitive program for rising leaders in the U.S. government, military, private sector, and media. The fellowship will offer participants the opportunity to spend four weeks in India, embedded within a university or think tank, where they will collaborate with Indian counterparts, exchange ideas, and gain insights into the latest developments in their respective fields. Fellows will also work on a project with mentorship from both UC San Diego and Indian institution experts, building cross-country networks and collaborations.

Motwani Jadeja India Leadership Program

The Motwani Jadeja India Leadership Program is an executive education initiative designed to strengthen the understanding of India among key U.S. decision-makers. This program, developed by UC San Diego faculty, will focus on advancing U.S.-India relations in critical areas such as security, trade, technology, and climate change. Participants, including government officials, military officers, private sector leaders, and journalists, will engage in a series of virtual and in-person sessions. Through a combination of academic learning, cultural immersion, and peer interactions with Indian leaders, this program will equip participants with the knowledge and insights necessary to drive progress in U.S.-India collaboration.

India Courses Hub

In addition to the fellowship and leadership programs, the Motwani Jadeja Foundation’s support will enable the creation of the India Courses Hub at UC San Diego. This initiative will focus on developing and expanding educational offerings related to India, including specialized cross-disciplinary courses, India-U.S. economic policy, and other subjects critical to understanding India’s role in global affairs. The hub will also support the creation of massive open online courses (MOOCs), ensuring that high-quality content is accessible to a global audience.

A Lasting Impact on U.S.-India Relations

Caroline Freund, Dean of the School of Global Policy and Strategy, commented, “This extraordinary gift will help train a new generation of thought leaders who will contribute to the deepening of the U.S.-India relationship. The relationship between our two countries is one of the most significant globally, and these initiatives will contribute to mutual understanding and progress in security, technology, climate change, and democratic values.”

Achyuta Adhvaryu, Director of the 21st Century India Center and Tata Chancellor’s Professor of Economics at UC San Diego, added, “This generous gift allows us to create a strong network of U.S. leaders who are connected to Indian counterparts and have access to cutting-edge research and knowledge. By fostering a deeper understanding of India and its global significance, we aim to have a lasting impact on U.S.-India relations.”

Looking Forward

This gift from the Motwani Jadeja Foundation represents a significant step forward in advancing U.S.-India relations and fostering global collaboration through education, research, and policy innovation. Through the development of these new programs and partnerships, the 21st Century India Center will continue to strengthen the academic and policy ties between the U.S. and India, creating a lasting impact on future leaders and policymakers.

For more information about the programs and initiatives at the 21st Century India Center, please visit india.ucsd.edu.

From the battlefields of Ukraine to the streets of Gaza and waters of the South China Sea, the world as we know it is dotted with the clouds of conflict. And conflict, as we know all too well, begets uncertainty—the kind that transcends territorial boundaries and forces nations to rethink entrenched positions and bolster security and strategic alliances.

It is in this context one must view the central premise of this viewpoint: Can India strike that delicate balance, to stand alongside allies with shared values without disturbing bilateral ties with traditional or trade partners?

The theme of  TiE Global Summit 2024 in Bangalore, which gathered over 25,000 attendees Dec. 9-11, and featured well-known speakers such as bestselling author Deeprak Chopra and tennis champion Andre Agassi, was “Putting Entrepreneurship First”, with a focus on reshaping the future of global entrepreneurship.

Highlights of the conference, which is organized by TiE Bangalore and supported by the Karnataka government and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, included the launch of an India-Israel innovation corridor project with 10 Israeli startups specializing in dual-use technologies aimed at the India market (see the photo); a TiE women pitch competition which highlighted the leadership and innovation of women entrepreneurs worldwide and an initiative which recognized outstanding early-stage startups from across the globe.

Building An India-Israel Innovation Corridor

The conference included a one-hour track about the building of an India-Israel Innovation Corridor. Panelist Asha Jadeja, the founder of The Motwani Jadeja Foundation, a global non-profit organization based in Silicon Valley that seeks to accelerate innovation, entrepreneurship and cross-border collaboration, inaugurated the Motwani Jadeja Centre of Excellence at T-Hub in Hyderabad, India on December 9. The center will serve as the cornerstone of the Foundation’s India-Israel Innovation Corridor, a major step aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation between the two countries.

The panel discussed a new project called Dual Use Robust India Israel High-Tech Innovation or DRISHTI for short, a collaboration between Israel’s DDR&D (MAFAT) – Directorate of Defense Research & Development and the T-Hub accelerator in Hyderabad. DRISHTI, derived from the Sanskrit word for “vision” or “insight” reflects the program’s mission to provide a forward-looking platform for innovation and strategic partnerships between India and Israel focused on dual-use technologies such as AI, robotics and drones. DRISHTI is supported by three key pillars: a Center of Excellence  in Hyderabad the Foundation is setting up at T-Hub to enable cross-border partnerships and provide market entry support for Israeli startups in India;  an India Market Access Program (IMAP) organized by T-Hub to equip startups with a go-to-market strategy and facilitate business connections; and high-profile networking events organized by the Foundation to bring together startups, industry leaders, and delegations from both nations. The Israeli companies participating in DRISHTI will additionally benefit from the Foundation’s strong connections in Silicon Valley. Jadeja’s vision is to build an innovation triangle between Israel, India and the U.S.

The track began with a video presentation from Brig. General Dr. Danny Gold, the head of the Defense Research and Development Directorate (DDR&D) since July 2016. Dr. Gold was awarded the 2012 Israel Defense prize for his initiation and management of the Iron Drome missile/rocket defense system. Under this leadership the R&D unit was awarded the Israel Defense Prize eight times.  He explained to the audience the role technology has played in helping Israel defend itself on multiple fronts since the October 7, 2023 attack on the country.

Panelist Golan Malka, head of the dual use division at DDR&D, a technologist who previously worked as an entrepreneur and business executive, said that the Israeli military is working with 270 defense startups, many with dual-use applications. In addition to testing and buying technology from these startups the Israel’s DDR&D leads joint projects with some of the startups and helps them find dual-use cases in foreign markets. It works with 17 countries. India is a particularly good fit, said Malka, as the two countries have strengths in both AI and drones.

Jadeja, the founder of the Motwani Jadeja Foundation, spoke about how there is an opportunity for Indian and Israeli companies to collaborate on solutions for the India market and then export their technology to the rest of the world. “This represents the realization of a long-standing vision: to create meaningful bridges between India and Israel, two nations that share a deep commitment to innovation and resilience,” she said.  “By uniting Israel’s technological prowess with India’s vast market potential, we are creating a robust India-Israel Innovation Corridor for breakthroughs in defense, AI, and dual-use technologies that will shape the future of both nations.”

DRISHTI mentor Rajan Luthra, head of special projects in the Chairman’s Office of Reliance Industries, talked about the evolution of collaboration between India and Israel. From the 1980s until 1999 Israel supported India’s critical needs on defense and smart irrigation. Between 2000 and 2016 there was a deepening of delivery of defense supplies from Israel and expanding bilateral trade of tech, products and services. Collaborations between the two countries have evolved from 2017 onwards into the level of a strategic partnership in dual-use technologies, deep tech and AI, apart from innovation in water, agriculture and space with equitable contributions from both sides, he told the audience. Rajan has led investments on behalf of Reliance Industries in more than a dozen Israeli startups covering everything from AI to quantum computing to cybersecurity and neural-tech. He highlighted that the India Israel Innovation Corridor program is a wonderful initiative that is perfectly timed as India and Israel ties reach another inflection point. India provides the best opportunity for Israeli startups to leverage the unique technology scaling capabilities through Make-in-India to create win-win strategic partnerships, said Luthra. “The India-Israel collaboration opportunity is a long term bet that serious investors and companies can ignore at their own peril,” he said.

The hour-long India-Israel track, moderated by Jennifer L. Schenker, The Innovator’s Editor-in-Chief, included presentation of DRISHTI’s first cohort of ten Israeli startups:

Next-Dim: Its AI platform analyses large-scale transaction networks, blockchain data, and social media activities. It uncovers complex patterns of financial crimes like money laundering and terror financing while identifying disinformation campaigns.

Corsound AI: Corsound AI’s patented Voice-to-Face technology generates facial sketches from voice samples for identity verification. Its deepfake detection system identifies fraudulent or synthetic voices, preventing impersonation and fraud.

Flycomm: Flycomm’s AI based SaaS platform provides real-time analytics to optimize telecom network performance. It maps wireless coverage, identifies infrastructure gaps, and benchmarks operator performance.

CopterPIX: CopterPIX designs high-performance drones with extended flight times and heavy payload capacities. Its UAVs support tactical defense missions, industrial inspections, and logistics operations.

OptiDefense: OptiDefense’s Light Blade system uses precision lasers to detect and neutralize rogue drones and balloons. It protects sensitive airspace around airports, urban zones, and critical infrastructure.

Rogat Engineering: Rogat designs modular robots equipped to handle complex terrains and extreme conditions. Its robots assist in military reconnaissance, locate victims in disaster zones, and perform infrastructure inspections.

Elsight: Elsight’s Halo platform ensures uninterrupted communication for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. It combines LTE, 5G, RF, and satellite networks for reliable connectivity in critical missions like disaster recovery and public safety.

InnerEye: InnerEye’s technology directly connects a user’s brain and AI models, combining them into a unified system called Minded AI, addressing challenges in development, training, and personalization of AI models. It uniquely enables real-time collaboration between human users and AI modelsfor faster, more accurate, and flexible decision-making.

Eikolos: Eikolas specializes in optical communication solutions that enable high-bandwidth, immersive connectivity for multiple users. Its proprietary system utilizes lightweight transmitters to broadcast digital data via optical light sources, with cameras acting as receivers. An IP software component identifies pixels receiving optical data and decodes the light back into digital information, allowing for the correlation of objects with the data they emit. Applications include friend or foe drone identification and homeland security.

Airobotics: Airobotics specializes in fully autonomous drones equipped with AI-driven data analytics for real-time surveillance, mapping, and disaster response. Its drones are tailored for smart city planning, industrial monitoring, and public safety operations, offering rapid aerial data collection and actionable insights for decision-makers.

Boosting Women Entrepreneurs

The TiE Women Global Pitch Competition, an initiative of TiE Global, a global non-profit organization that fosters entrepreneurship through networking, mentoring, incubating, educating and funding, supported by the Motwani Jadeja Foundation, attracted 3,100 women-led startups from 62 countries across sectors like edtech, healthtech, AI, agritech, and sustainability. Teri Sirset, Co-Founder and CEO of DASI Simulations from TiE Southern California, a company that has developed AI-driven simulations that provide interventional cardiologists with precise insights into patient-specific heart conditions, won the first place prize of $25,000. Adithi Aji, Founder and CEO of Adrich, a consumer insights and smart replenishment platform powered by AI and IoT, from TiE Pittsburgh, secured second place and a prize of $15,000, and Irena King, Founder and CEO of Surgicure Technologies, from TiE Boston, a medical device company that is innovating airway management for civilian and military use, won third place and $10,000.  The prizes were awarded on stage by Jadeja, the head of the Motwani Jadeja Foundation.

The Foundation signed a three- year partnership with TiE Women in 2023. Under the agreement Jadeja, the founder of the Motwani Jadeja Foundation , is sponsoring and supporting five TiE Women participants to come to Silicon Valley. These participants will get a once in a lifetime chance to immerse themselves in the heart of Silicon Valley through the Motwani Jadeja Fellow program.

Winners Circle

The TGS100 initiative at the TiE Global Summit 2024  targeted outstanding early-stage startups from across the globe. The competition attracted 1,300 applications from 17 countries. The top winners were all Indian: Breer Limited, a food upcycling startup that collects unsold, uneaten and surplus bread, and uses it to brew local craft beer; Takeme2space, an aerospace technology company focused on enabling advanced computational infrastructure in space; and Proleri Technologies, an agritech company innovating the use of farm-grown plant leaves to produce high-quality proteins.

Key Takeaways From The TiE Global Summit 2004 Bangalore | by Jennifer L. Schenker

The Motwani Jadeja Foundation (MJF) hosted a delegation of 10 Indian leaders at Davos, Switzerland during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025.

For the first time, these leaders had the unique opportunity to participate in one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for networking and collaboration. Engaging with global stakeholders, they explored critical issues such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and sustainability.

The delegation was part of the Motwani Jadeja Global Leaders Program, an initiative designed to connect India’s top innovators and changemakers with international networks and resources to amplify their impact on a global stage.

The Motwani Jadeja Global Leaders at Davos:

• Anirudh Sharma, Co-founder, Digantara
• Pawan Kumar, Co-founder, Skyroot
• Rahul Bhagchandani, Rajeev Circle Fellow, Motwani Jadeja Foundation, and Advisor, Gujarat Technological University
• Raj Shekhar Singh, Managing Partner, Z21 Ventures
• Sachindanand Swami, Founder, Invoxel
• Saurav Sanyal, Managing Director, Strategica
• Siddhartha Ahluwalia, Managing Partner, Neon VC
• Suhani Jalota, Founder, Myna Mahila Foundation, and Hoover Fellow, Stanford University
• UT Rao, Associate Professor, MICA Ahmedabad

Bollywood actor and entrepreneur Vivek Oberoi also joined the delegation.

The delegation engaged with a wide range of influential figures, including government officials such as heads of state and ministers, prominent business leaders from India and around the globe, as well as global venture funds, technology innovators, and investors.

Davos, home to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, is widely regarded as the pinnacle of global networking opportunities, bringing together leaders from across industries, governments, and civil society. For the Motwani Jadeja Global Leaders, it provided an invaluable platform to learn, forge relationships, and explore opportunities for meaningful collaboration on a global scale.

“The Global Leaders Program is a step forward in MJF’s mission to connect India’s changemakers with global platforms,” said Asha Jadeja, founder of the Motwani Jadeja Foundation. “This first-time participation at Davos has given these leaders an incredible opportunity to engage with influential individuals and ideas shaping our future. This is India’s moment to lead, and we are proud to empower this new generation of bold, connected, and forward-thinking Indians.”

The Motwani Jadeja Foundation (MJF) is committed to empowering entrepreneurs and changemakers through fellowships, investments, and partnerships. Founded by Asha Jadeja, the Foundation honors the legacy of her late husband, Stanford University’s Prof Rajeev Motwani, whose mentorship of the Google co-founders and groundbreaking contributions to technology helped shape the modern tech landscape.

MJF’s transformative initiatives, such as the Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellowship and the Motwani Jadeja India Pavilion at CES, continue to bridge India’s exceptional talent with global platforms, fostering innovation and progress for a brighter future.

Davos Flipbook

The India Pavilion opened up an opportunity for 10 Indian startups at the world’s largest consumer show

The Motwani Jadeja Foundation (MJF) spearheaded the India Pavilion at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, held January 7–10 in Las Vegas. Featuring 10 innovative startups selected through a rigorous application process, the pavilion highlighted India’s technological advancements and entrepreneurial capabilities to a global audience.

The India Pavilion at CES 2025 aligns with MJF’s mission of fostering international collaboration and leveraging the U.S. as a hub for the exchange of ideas, investment, and innovation. By bridging the gap between Indian entrepreneurs and global markets, MJF empowers startups to overcome barriers like limited visibility, access to resources, and mentorship, paving the way for their success on the world stage. 

Earlier in 2020, the MJF debuted the India Pavilion at CES, followed by a successful virtual showcase during the pandemic.

Asha Jadeja, founder of the Motwani Jadeja Foundation, emphasized the broader impact of this initiative: “India’s innovators have the talent and drive to shape the future, and we are committed to ensuring they have the global exposure and resources to do so. Through the India Pavilion at CES, we are opening doors—not just for Indian startups, but for emerging ecosystems worldwide—to harness the U.S. as a platform for transformative collaboration and growth. This is about building a future where global innovation thrives across borders.”

The pavilion featured a diverse group of startups showcasing cutting-edge solutions in consumer electronics and technology:

• WatchOut Wearables: Innovators in smart wearable technology.
• Tusk Oral Care: Developers of sustainable oral hygiene products.
• Neurotech: Leaders in brain-computer interface technologies.
• OpenDroids: Specialists in robotics and automation.
• Mustard: Creators of advanced AR/VR glasses.
• Behave Neu: Innovators in AI-driven behavioral neuroscience.
• WishTales: Providers of AI-powered storytelling solutions.
• Mecha.so: Experts in modular robotics.
• Sonic Lamb: Designers of immersive audio experiences.
• Planet Electric: Pioneers in sustainable electric mobility.

These startups were chosen through a highly competitive online application process designed to identify high-impact innovators with global potential.

Dhrupal Shah, Founder of STEMpedia and a beneficiary of the India Pavilion at CES 2020 highlighted the value of the program: “Participating in the India Pavilion was a game-changer for our startup. It gave us invaluable exposure, connections, and insights that accelerated our journey in global markets. Such opportunities are critical for scaling innovation internationally.”

The Motwani Jadeja Foundation has a strong history of championing global innovation initiatives. Its programs include the Global Leaders Program at Davos 2025, the India Centre Gift at UC San Diego, the Impact Fellowship, and continued support for U.S.-India strategic partnerships. These efforts reflect MJF’s commitment to creating inclusive, cross-border innovation ecosystems that empower entrepreneurs worldwide.

Asha Jadeja Motwani, one of Silicon Valley’s highly respected venture capitalists, has invested in over 200 well-known technology startups in the Valley such as PayPal, Mimosa, AppDynamics, Meraki and Pinterest. As founding stakeholders in Google, Jadeja and her late husband Stanford professor Rajeev Motwani, played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s DNA. She continues to collaborate with Google Ventures and the Google Foundation on impactful projects.

In 2012, Jadeja founded the Motwani Jadeja Family Foundation to foster entrepreneurship in under-served communities across the U.S. and India. Her flagship initiative, the Rajeev Circle Fellowship, has supported over 150 fellows, equipping them to solve complex problems and “pay it forward.” These fellows frequently collaborate with TED, INK, and Acumen Fellows, organizations Asha has supported for years. Every year she spearheads efforts to “globalize” her fellows, showcasing them at major global platforms like the Consumer Electronics Show (U.S.), the UN General Assembly (New York), the Munich Security Conference, and the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

In 2023, Jadeja launched the Motwani Women Entrepreneurs Fellowship in partnership with TiE Global, empowering 40 disruptive women entrepreneurs from India, the Middle East, and Africa. In December 2024 she launched the India-Israel Innovation Corridor project. As a first step the Foundation is supporting DRISHTI, (Dual Use Robust India-Israel High Tech Innovation) a collaboration between the Israel’s Department of Defense R&D Directorate and the T-Hub accelerator in Hyderabad.

Beyond venture and philanthropic investments, Jadeja supports numerous U.S.-India technology, security, and trade initiatives through her involvement with prestigious institutions, including IIT Kanpur, Hoover Institution at Stanford, University of California (San Diego & Berkeley), Aspen Institute, Milken Institute, Hudson Institute, Asia Society, TED and the Center for a New American Security. She recently spoke to The Innovator about her latest project: building an India-Israel Innovation Corridor.

Q: The Motwani Jadeja Foundation launched its India-Israel Innovation Corridor project in Hyderabad this week. Can you talk about your vision for this project?

AJ: The Motwani Jadeja Foundation is building a bridge between India’s and Israel’s innovation ecosystems as I strongly believe the two countries can benefit each other through collaborations and mergers and acquisitions. There is the potential to jointly build technologies that will benefit India and export these to the rest of the world.

Q: The Foundation is supporting DRISHTI as its first step. What does the program entail?

AJ: The name DRISHTI, derived from the Sanskrit word for vision or insight, reflects the program’s mission to provide a forward-looking platform for strategic partnerships between India and Israel. It will foster innovation and collaboration across dual use technologies with a focus on cutting-edge domains like AI, ML, drones, robotics, and defense tech. DRISHTI encompasses three key pillars: a Center of Excellence in Hyderabad the Foundation is setting up to enable cross-border partnerships and provide market entry support for Israeli startups in India;  an India Market Access Program (IMAP) to equip startups with a go-to-market strategy and facilitate business connections,; and high-profile networking events to bring together startups, industry leaders, and delegations from both nations. The Israeli companies participating in DRISHTI will additionally benefit from the Foundation’s strong connections in Silicon Valley. The goal is to build an innovation triangle between Israel, India and the U.S.

Q: There have been many attempts to bring Israeli startups to India and most have failed. What makes this initiative different?

AJ: Many Israeli startups fail to penetrate the India market because they don’t have knowledge of the local market, local partners or a local presence. The companies in the first DRISHTI cohort have already developed products for the defense sector and have existing customers. Their technologies have dual-use and are a good fit for the India market. They will spend 2025 working with mentors in an India immersion program to meet potential customers and investors. The Foundation has established a center of excellence for them at T-Hub in Hyderabad and will arrange meetups throughout the year for these startups to make connections in key innovation hubs in India.

Q: In a recent column in The Innovator Former Cisco Executive Chairman John Chambers said there is more than a 50/50 chance that US and India will lead the world in AI.  Is this India’s moment?

AJ: The world of trade needs a China alternative. Prime Minister Modi’s Self -Reliant India program, which includes its drive to build its own semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, its scaling up of a unified platform for international fintech, its burgeoning biotech sector, its booming space economy and its AI ambitions, are placing it in a pole position. The common thread between India, the U.S. and Israel is a deep commitment to democracy and a strong belief in innovation as a driver of growth. The world is looking to India not just for its talent but for its ideals, its courage and its ability to lead. By fostering global partnerships, empowering our youth and amplifying our innovations, we  can redefine our place on the world stage – not as followers, but as leaders of the future. Together we can make India the innovation hub of the 20^th century.

Interview Of The Week, Asha Jadeja, India-Israel Innovation Corridor by Jennifer L. Schenker

Disclosure: The Innovator’s Editor-in-Chief, who has experience covering technology in both Israel and in India, is helping the Foundation, a not-for- profit, with its project to build the India-Israel innovation corridor.

The Motwani Jadeja Foundation (MJF) successfully organized the US-India Ambassadors Program in partnership with TiE in 2024. This initiative aimed to foster stronger connections between the United States and India by bringing a select group of US-based entrepreneurs to experience India’s dynamic business ecosystem, particularly in Bangalore and Mysore. The program took place during the TiE Global Summit (TGS) 2024, providing participants with a comprehensive immersion into India’s startup culture and corporate environment.

2024 Program

In 2024, MJF arranged a one-week immersion tour that allowed the attendees to explore Bangalore and Mysore. The tour offered them the chance to attend the TiE Global Summit, participate in masterclasses, pitch at IISc, and engage in corporate and cultural tours. The program gave the entrepreneurs firsthand exposure to India’s vibrant market, and they also had the opportunity to interact with influential business leaders and innovators.

Attendees for 2024 Program

The attendees for the program included a diverse group of entrepreneurs:

• Won Chul Shin, Senior Vice President, STCLAb
• Alice Kathleen Crisci, Founder, Ovum Health
• Thomas Rutherford Coleman, Founder, Runway
• Elizabeth Anna Jaworski, Co-founder and CEO, XN Health
• Oscar Rene Pedroso, Founder, Thimble.io
• James Charles Barrood, CEO, Innovation+

What Happened During the Program

The program kicked off with the participants arriving in Bangalore and participated in a meet-and-greet event. The following day, they attended masterclasses and had the opportunity to pitch their ideas at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). They then witnessed the grand opening of TiE Global Summit 2024, followed by a full day of attending the summit’s sessions and engaging in various tracks. On the fourth day, the group traveled to Mysore, where they spent the day at Infosys Campus, before enjoying a dinner at the Mysore Race Club. The final two days included corporate tours in Bangalore, where the participants visited prominent companies and explored India’s corporate culture. They also went on a group cultural tour, immersing themselves in India’s rich history and traditions. The tour concluded with their departure from Bangalore, leaving them with valuable insights and lasting memories.

The Importance of the Program

• Strengthening US-India Relations: MJF has been actively working on enhancing the relationship between the US and India. Through initiatives like the US-India Ambassadors Program, MJF plays a crucial role in creating avenues for deeper collaboration and understanding between the two nations. This year, by bringing six US entrepreneurs to India, MJF helped lay the foundation for future partnerships and ventures.

• Cross-Cultural Exchange: MJF places a strong emphasis on cross-cultural exchange. By immersing entrepreneurs in India’s unique corporate and cultural environments, the program helped foster meaningful connections and opened doors for new business opportunities.

• Entrepreneurial Impact: India’s growing market is a goldmine for innovation and entrepreneurship. MJF’s program aimed to showcase this potential, enabling US entrepreneurs to understand how to navigate and tap into India’s expanding business landscape.

• TiE Women Partnership: The program was in collaboration with TiE Women, an initiative that empowers female entrepreneurs and helps them break barriers in the business world.

• Expanding US-India Trade: As one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, India offers vast opportunities for collaboration. MJF’s efforts in facilitating exchanges like this are pivotal in strengthening economic ties and boosting trade relations between the US and India.

Through this program, MJF continues to make significant strides in promoting a stronger relationship between the US and India, enabling entrepreneurs from both nations to come together, share knowledge, and grow their businesses in an increasingly interconnected world.

The panel included:

• Asha Jadeja, Founder of the Motwani Jadeja Global Foundation
• Eric Garcetti, Former United States Ambassador to India
• Lakshmanan Chidambaram, President of Tech Mahindra and Head of Americas at Mahindra Group
• Nadir Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director of Godrej Industries
• Walter Mead, Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship at the Hudson Institute

Patrick Foulis, Foreign Editor at The Economist, moderated the session.

A Partnership of Shared Values

The session opened with a reflection on the US-India partnership’s growth. Eric Garcetti, former US ambassador to India, spoke about the strategic importance of the relationship, emphasizing shared values such as democracy, freedom of speech, and economic opportunity. He highlighted the partnership’s resilience across different administrations, noting its expanding scope, especially in defense and security collaboration. However, Garcetti acknowledged that trade imbalances, particularly in agriculture and tariffs, remain a challenge, with the US calling for greater reciprocity.

Technology and Innovation: A New Frontier for Collaboration

Lakshmanan Chidambaram discussed the growing significance of technology in US-India relations. As the US and India remain global leaders in technology, Chidambaram emphasized how India’s rising tech capabilities could help address trade imbalances, particularly by boosting India’s role in software development and IT services. He acknowledged that the rise of automation and AI, while posing challenges to traditional IT service models, would ultimately create higher-skilled job opportunities.

A Poetic Vision on Infrastructure

Nadir Godrej contributed an unexpected yet powerful moment when he recited a poem about the importance of infrastructure for India’s economic future. He stressed that robust infrastructure is essential not only for economic growth but also to foster greater US-India business collaboration. His poem highlighted the need for a business-friendly environment that supports foreign investment and deepens economic ties between both nations.

Geopolitics and the China Factor

The discussion moved to geopolitics, particularly with regard to China’s role in global dynamics. Walter Mead and Eric Garcetti addressed the growing influence of China, recognizing that both the US and India are committed to countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. While some experts feared the possible impact of a change in US leadership, the panelists agreed that the underlying US-India alliance would remain strong, driven by mutual goals of security and regional stability.

Addressing Environmental and Sustainability Challenges

A critical part of the conversation also focused on India’s environmental challenges, particularly air pollution. Garcetti highlighted US-India collaboration in tackling these issues through renewable energy projects, such as solar power initiatives. While progress has been made, the panel emphasized that more needs to be done, urging collective action from governments, businesses, and citizens to drive sustainable practices.

Asha Jadeja’s Vision for the Future of US-India Collaboration

Asha Jadeja, reflecting on the significance of the event, highlighted how the global conversation on US-India relations has shifted. With a focus on defense, security, and economic collaboration, she noted the unprecedented opportunities arising as US businesses move out of China. The expanding partnership in areas like semiconductor manufacturing, ports, and software infrastructure is poised for explosive growth. She emphasized the opportunities in AI collaboration between Silicon Valley and Bangalore, underscoring how this could catalyze new innovations for both countries. Jadeja encouraged continued dialogue and engagement, sharing that the discussions held at Davos would drive US-India business collaboration for years to come.

A Resilient Partnership for Global Leadership

The event wrapped up with a strong message of resilience. Despite differences in foreign policy priorities and domestic challenges, the US-India partnership continues to evolve and thrive. Shared values, such as democracy and free-market capitalism, alongside the drive to address common global challenges, ensure the ongoing success of this vital collaboration.

As both countries move forward, their alliance will play a critical role in shaping the future of the global economy, particularly in sectors like technology, defense, and sustainability. For businesses and governments, the message was clear: the time to invest in the US-India partnership is now.

Watch the whole panel here