H Purushotham

Dr. H. Purushotham is an Indian scientist, technologist, and innovation leader renowned for his contributions to technology transfer, intellectual property rights (IPR), and research commercialisation. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between research institutions, industry, and government, helping to transform scientific inventions into market-ready products and services. His leadership and vision have significantly strengthened India’s innovation and startup ecosystem.

Early Life and Education

Dr. H. Purushotham pursued a Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, in 1982, followed by a Master of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, in 1984. He later earned an MBA from the Indira Gandhi National Open University and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Osmania University. This diverse academic background in engineering, management, and research provided him with a multidisciplinary approach to innovation and technology management.

Professional Career

Dr. Purushotham’s professional journey has been marked by leadership roles in both government and academia, where he has consistently focused on fostering innovation-driven growth and intellectual property awareness.

• Chairman and Managing Director, National Research Development Corporation (NRDC): As the head of NRDC, the technology transfer arm of the Government of India, Dr. Purushotham revitalised the organisation, transforming it into a dynamic institution supporting research commercialisation and entrepreneurship. Under his leadership, NRDC facilitated the licensing of hundreds of technologies developed by public-sector research laboratories and academic institutions to industrial partners.
• DPIIT–IPR Chair Professor, Andhra University: In his academic role, he has led initiatives to integrate intellectual property education into higher learning, promote start-up incubation, and encourage research-driven innovation. His efforts have helped nurture a culture of creativity and patenting among students and researchers.
• Industry Collaborations and Consultancy: Throughout his career, Dr. Purushotham has worked closely with public and private sector organisations to support R&D commercialisation, technology-based entrepreneurship, and policy formulation. He has also been actively involved in guiding the establishment of Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) across India.

Areas of Expertise

Dr. Purushotham’s professional expertise encompasses several core domains, including:

• Technology Transfer: Converting scientific research outputs into viable commercial products through licensing and industrial partnerships.
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Advocating for effective IP protection and management as a strategic tool for innovation.
• Innovation Management: Promoting collaboration between academia, industry, and government for sustainable technological growth.
• Startup Development: Supporting the creation and scaling of technology-based start-ups through mentorship, incubation, and funding.
• Policy and Ecosystem Building: Advising institutions on innovation frameworks, IP policy development, and research-industry alignment.

Contributions and Achievements

Dr. Purushotham has been a key architect in advancing India’s research commercialisation ecosystem. Some of his notable achievements include:

• Facilitating the transfer and licensing of over a thousand technologies developed by Indian research institutions.
• Establishing multiple innovation and incubation centres to support young entrepreneurs.
• Introducing training programmes to increase awareness of IPR and its role in economic development.
• Receiving several awards and recognitions for leadership excellence, including Public Sector CEO of the Year (2017) for his contributions to innovation in public institutions.

Under his guidance, NRDC and other associated bodies have become vital instruments in promoting indigenous technologies across fields such as renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Impact on Innovation Ecosystem

Dr. H. Purushotham’s work has had a far-reaching impact on India’s innovation ecosystem:

• Strengthening Institutional Capacities: He has helped universities and R&D organisations establish IP cells, patent offices, and innovation centres to promote self-sustaining research ecosystems.
• Bridging Research and Industry: His initiatives have helped Indian industries gain access to affordable, home-grown technologies while ensuring fair returns for inventors.
• Empowering Startups: Through his mentorship and policy initiatives, several technology-driven startups have successfully transitioned from incubation to commercial operation.
• Promoting an IP Culture: He has played a crucial role in embedding the concept of intellectual property in India’s academic and research policies, helping align them with global standards.

Challenges and Vision

Despite the progress achieved, Dr. Purushotham has often highlighted persistent challenges in technology commercialisation, including:

• Limited awareness of IP laws and practices among researchers.
• Insufficient funding mechanisms for translating research into commercial prototypes.
• The need for stronger collaboration among academia, industry, and government.