ETSA 2026: India’s strong medical, STEM talent can drive deeptech startups: BrainSight AI cofounder

India’s strong pool of doctors and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent can make it easier for entrepreneurs to build deeptech companies, Laina Emmanuel, cofounder of BrainSight AI, said at the ET Startup Awards 2026 in Bengaluru.

“I think India has the best doctors. It also has a very thriving STEM culture, which is unparalleled in the world. So, building STEM, deeptech companies should come easily to Indians,” Emmanuel said.

She also highlighted the importance of bringing together people with different areas of expertise to build such businesses. Her cofounder is a neuroscientist with a Ph D from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), and their partnership helped bring complementary skills to the venture, she said.


Emmanuel remarked that India needs to create more opportunities for scientists, engineers, and doctors to work together and build deeptech companies.