Industrial Automation Magazine India

EPIC Foundation signs MoU with KDEM for tablets, LED chips

Published on : Thursday 14-09-2023

Announced the launch of the first 100% 'Designed in India' tablet, LED driver chip.

National, September 13, 2023: EPIC Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation founded by industry veterans and Cofounders of HCL Dr Ajai Chowdhry and Arjun Malhotra unveiled its vision aimed at transforming India into an Electronic Hardware Product Nation. With a highly skilled young workforce and competitive wages coupled with the right geopolitical nudge, the foundation believes India can become the next design and manufacturing destination, thereby contributing to making India a US $400bn Electronics industry.

As part of its vision, the foundation announced the launch of two products: a) an LED Driver chip that is designed by a startup in Bengaluru and ready to go into production to replace a Chinese chip and; b) the first 100% Designed in India tablet for education and social empowerment with unique features of repairability and upgradability, developed on the principles of repair-reuse-recycle – not found in any other imported tablet. The foundation also signed an MOU with Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and is presently in advanced discussions with several other academic institutions, with an aim to develop distinct "Designed in India" products catering to 1.4 billion Indians. The MOU with KDEM was signed by Dr Ajai Chowdhry and Shri BV Naidu, Chairman, of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission. EPIC Foundation recently entered into an MOU with the Andhra Pradesh Electronics and IT Agency (APEITA), whereby the foundation will be advising and enabling APEITA on technical and strategic interventions with an aim to strengthen the electronics sector in the state.

Dr. Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman, of EPIC Foundation and Member of the MeitY task force to realize India's potential to become a Product Nation said, "Creating a robust design and manufacturing ecosystem requires a tremendous amount of support from all stakeholders. EPIC Foundation aims to be the interface between Industry and State Government with MEITY, Niti Aayog DST, and DPIIT to address key challenges and recalibrate the policies. Solidifying its commitment to move the nation up the value chain to be at the forefront of design, manufacturing, and production, EPIC Foundation will work towards enabling critical Global Collaboration with Key ESDM regions like Taiwan, South Korea, Israel, Japan, and the USA"

Commenting on the MoU with KDEM, Chowdhry added, "KDEM is working on ESDM sector growth under the Beyond Bengaluru initiative which covers cities such as Mysore, Hubli, Belgaum, Mangalore, Shivamogga. They have startup incubators and accelerators. We will support these start-ups with Technical mentoring, and go-to-market strategies and help overcome operational issues and challenges."