DICE-2024 finale and awards held at AERO INDIA 2025

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The grand finale of the Defence Innovation Challenge for Excellence (DICE-2024) concluded at AERO INDIA 2025 in Bengaluru, marking a significant step toward India's self-reliance in defence technology.

Organized by the Marathwada Accelerator for Growth and Incubation Council (MAGIC) and powered by DRDO & 3D Engineering LLP, the event was backed by Startup India, the Office of the scientific advisor to the Government of India, iDEX, and the Maharashtra State Innovation Society. DS & DG (ECS) of DRDO Dr. B.K. Das, attended as the chief guest, alongside technical advisor to the chairperson, DRDO Dr. Manish Bharadwaj and senior defence officials. Launched on October 5, 2024, by secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr Sameer Kamat, DICE-2024 aimed to support startups in solving critical defence challenges and commercializing innovative technologies. The competition attracted applications from 47 cities across 17 states. Following a rigorous three-stage evaluation, 24 startups reached the finals, competing in revenue Stage, pre-revenue stage and idea stage categories. Dr. B.K. Das reaffirmed the government’s commitment to defence innovation, announcing that DRDO will grant winners access to advanced research facilities. The event featured live pitches, evaluated by senior DRDO officials and industry leaders. With a total cash prize of Rs 6.5 lakh and exclusive incubation opportunities, DICE-2024 proved to be a major platform for deep-tech defence startups, further strengthening India’s defence innovation ecosystem.

(WOTH PHOTO)