City Knowledge Innovation Cluster, Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation

What City Knowledge Innovation Cluster, Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation does

DRIIV (City Knowledge Innovation Cluster, Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation) is a not-for-profit science and technology cluster established in 2019 under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India as part of the PM-STIAC initiative, headquartered at the IIT Delhi campus. It operates a triple-helix platform that convenes industry, academia and government bodies to take sustainable technology innovations from lab to market, curating a portfolio spanning air pollution mitigation (Project SAMEER with DPCC/GMDA across 13 hotspots), water security (phycoremediation pilots with Delhi Jal Board), green energy transition (solarized EV charging with second-life batteries via BATX Energies and MG Motor India), public transport digitization (One Delhi App / Chartr covering 7,000+ buses and DMRC integration with 3 lakh active users), and AI-driven health surveillance (Strainflow for COVID-19 genomic surveillance adopted by ICMR).

The cluster's technology stack is portfolio-based rather than single-product: it aggregates, validates, and pilots external innovations rather than licensing proprietary software at scale. Proprietary components include patented air purification devices (Shudhvayu vehicular filter, OmniIon APC), AI/ML deployments (Strainflow trained on 0.9M SARS-CoV-2 sequences with 2-month surge-prediction lead time, AI-based sepsis prediction in AIIMS PICUs, Chartr's smart route planning), and portfolio company IP (BatX hydrometallurgical recycling at 99.95% recovery, Capattery graphene batteries). Distribution runs through direct field engagement with ministries (MoEFCC, MSME, MeiTy), PSUs (AAI, OIL, DTC), and corporate CSR programs (M3M Foundation, RSPL Welfare Foundation, Google).

DRIIV's revenue mechanics are characteristic of a government-mandated cluster: technology validation is provided free to startups, pilots are funded through CSR capital and government grants (Amrut 2.0 support from DJB), and the cluster does not publicly disclose revenue. Customer segments are Startups and Innovators (primary), Corporates and PSUs (CSR + co-creation), Government Bodies (knowledge and implementation partner), Academic Institutions (technology transfer and skilling), and Students/Professionals (NEP 2020-aligned skilling programs on IC design, EV/ESDM, AI/ML, and cybersecurity). Value capture is indirect — measured in deployed pilots, partner counts (150+), and downstream commercial traction of portfolio companies — rather than direct P&L revenue.

Name

City Knowledge Innovation Cluster, Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation

Legal name

DRIIV (Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation)

Website

https://driiv.co.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DRIIV is a not-for-profit S&T cluster under India's PSA office that convenes industry, academia, and government to validate, pilot, and scale sustainable technologies in air quality, water security, green energy, and digital public infrastructure across Delhi NCR.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science and Technology Innovation Cluster Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

MRV Software Platforms, Data QA/QC & Digital Audit Trails (EUAHADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial & Energy MRV (Facilities, Renewables, Methane, Process Emissions) (EUABACAI), Mobile Source & Fleet Emissions MRV (Transport, aviation, marine) (EUAHADAJ), Climate Finance, Carbon Markets & MRV Systems (BPADALAB)

Keywords

• Science technology cluster
• Innovation platform
• Technology validation services
• Research commercialization
• Sustainable technology deployment

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Platform Services and Technology Validation: DRIIV provides technology validation, piloting, and co-creation services to corporates and government bodies, facilitating the transition of innovations from lab to market through structured collaboration mechanisms.
2. CSR Capital Mobilization: Facilitates mobilization of corporate CSR capital for sustainable technology projects, connecting corporates with startups and academic institutions for impactful environmental initiatives.
3. Skilling and Training Programs: Delivers skilling programs on Analog & Power Management IC Design, EV and ESDM, AI/ML bootcamps, and sustainability aligned to NEP 2020, offered jointly with IITs and academic partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DRIIV operates as a government-mandated Science and Technology cluster that validates, pilots, and commercializes sustainable technologies by bridging industry, academia, and government bodies. Its core offerings include technology validation services, pilot project facilitation, corporate CSR capital mobilization, and skilling programs across Critical and Emerging Technologies, Energy and Environment, and Water Security verticals through curated programs like Project SAMEER (air pollution), Phycoremediation (water treatment), Chartr/One Delhi App (transit), Strainflow (epidemiology), and EV charging and battery recycling platforms.

Product overview

DRIIV operates as a science and technology cluster serving as a platform for sustainable technology solutions and innovation support. The portfolio consists of multiple distinct offerings: Phycoremediation for water/wastewater treatment using algae-based natural processes; Project SAMEER for comprehensive air pollution monitoring and mitigation; One Delhi App (Chartr) for multi-modal public transport digitization; Strainflow for AI-driven epidemiological prediction; EVI Technologies for EV charging infrastructure; BATX Energies for battery recycling; and Capattery for graphene battery technology. Supporting technologies include air quality monitoring devices (Prkruti, Oizom, Indus AAQMS), air purification systems (APS, SWACHH RENA, Shudhvayu, OmniIon), and sector-specific solutions in drones (Indowings), security (Athena Security, DeepStrat), and water recycling (Biomimicry). The MASHAAL Green Fellowship provides funding and mentorship to startups working in environmental sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MASHAAL: A fellowship program advocating environmental stewardship and sustainable innovation, launched in collaboration with M3M Foundation, focusing on Renewable Energy Transition, Environmental Sustainability, and Ensuring Water Security.
• Project SAMEER
• One Delhi App

Products and services

• Phycoremediation Technology Nature-based water treatment technology using microalgae and diatoms to remove pollutants, pathogens, heavy metals, and toxins from water bodies, drains, and industrial wastewater including oil sludge. Used for environmental remediation projects with government bodies and oil industry partners.
• Project SAMEER (Air Pollution Mitigation) Comprehensive air pollution monitoring and mitigation program employing sensor technologies for AQI monitoring, mitigation technologies for reducing emissions, awareness campaigns, and community engagement across Delhi-NCR. Serves government pollution control boards and municipal bodies as a flagship cluster program.
• One Delhi App (Chartr) Multi-modal transit application providing real-time bus and metro tracking, e-ticketing, fleet management for 7,000+ buses across 2,000+ routes in Delhi, with DMRC integration for unified urban mobility. Built with IIIT Delhi and adopted by DIMTS for public transport digitization.
• Strainflow Epidemiological Platform AI/ML-driven epidemiological early warning system using genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants and predictive modeling for COVID-19 case surges with two-month lead time. Adopted nationally by ICMR for genomic surveillance, surge prediction, and vaccine resource allocation across India.
• EVI Technologies (EVIT) Charging Infrastructure EV charging infrastructure including AC/DC chargers for 2/3/4 wheelers ranging from 3.3kW to 120kW, battery swapping stations, and smart Charging Management System with mobile app. Deployed across 20+ states in India with 3,500+ chargers.
• BATX Energies Battery Recycling Lithium-ion battery recycling technology achieving 99.95% recovery rate for battery-grade materials (lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese) and second-life battery applications for energy storage. Uses a patented zero-waste, zero-emission hydrometallurgical process.
• Capattery Graphene Battery Technology Next-generation graphene-based battery cells designed for ultrafast charging (3C charging with full charge in 20 minutes), extended lifespan, and optimal performance up to 350°C for tropical regions. Provides 1.5-2x range compared to conventional batteries.
• MASHAAL Green Fellowship Program Innovation fellowship program offered in collaboration with M3M Foundation, providing funding, mentorship, and ecosystem support to startups and entrepreneurs working on green energy transition, environmental sustainability, and water security. Award ceremony held at Le Meridien New Delhi.
• Skilling and Training Programs Skilling and training programs covering Analog and Power Management IC Design, advanced EV and ESDM, AI/ML bootcamps, Sustainability aligned to NEP 2020, and next-generation Cybersecurity, offered jointly with IITs and academic partners for students and professionals.
• Technology Validation and Pilot Services Technology validation and piloting services for startups, innovators, corporates, and government bodies, structured around technology upload portal, validation with IIT Delhi and other premier institutions, pilot facilitation, and co-creation support. Designed to enhance credibility and provide market pathway for sustainable technologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% reduction in grid electricity dependency through solarized EV charging
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability16 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and flagship.

• IIT DelhicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier academic partner and founding institution of DRIIV. IIT Delhi provides research expertise, technology validation capabilities, faculty mentorship (Prof. B.K. Panigrahi, Prof. Sagnik Dey), and infrastructure for pilot implementations. Joint programs include EV charging development, AI/ML bootcamps, and IC design skilling.
• IIIT DelhicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Chartr (One Delhi App) development for multi-modal transit digitization. Prof. Pravesh Biyani and Prof. Tavpritesh Sethi contributed to transit app and Strainflow COVID prediction platform respectively.
• Ashoka UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in DRIIV ecosystem with Prof. Anurag Agrawal contributing to cluster governance and initiatives.
• Office of PSA to GoIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDRIIV is mandated by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India as the Delhi S&T Cluster, creating ecosystem of industry, academia, and government for taking innovations from lab to market.
• Airports Authority of India (AAI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARO initiative positioning DRIIV as aviation innovation hub. Collaboration provides unprecedented opportunities for startups in civil aviation sector through technology validation and indigenization with private airlines and airport operators.
• Oil India Limited (OIL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhycoremediation pilot for oil sludge treatment at Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in Assam. Lab tests yielded successful results with transition to on-site pilot phase.
• M3M FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMASHAAL Program - Green Fellowship for environmental sustainability. Three themes: Enabling green energy transition, Advancing environmental sustainability, Ensuring water security. Award ceremony at Le Meridien New Delhi, September 2025.
• Blue Planet Environmental SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollective Responsibility Drive (CRD) for plastic waste management in schools. Krishna Kumar Gaur formerly VP at Blue Nudge within Blue Planet. 1000 benches each delivered to government schools in Delhi and Haryana.
• MG Motor IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortfolio startup BATX Energies co-created solar-integrated EV charging infrastructure with second-life batteries at IIT Delhi. Inaugurated by Hon'ble PSA Prof. Ajay K Sood.
• GooglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject AirView+ collaboration with GMDA, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, and Aurassure for hyperlocal air quality monitoring in Gurugram.
• Social AlphasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation ecosystem partner supporting startup funding and technology commercialization.
• India Health Fund (IHF)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare innovation partner supporting public health technology initiatives.
• Delhi Jal Board (DJB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterbody rejuvenation projects including Sanjay Van, Smriti Van, and Neb Sarai Pond using phycoremediation technology. Amrut 2.0 funding support facilitated.
• Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject SAMEER execution identifying 13 pollution hotspots in Delhi-NCR for technology piloting and community engagement.
• Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir quality monitoring collaboration including Project AirView+ and Doctors for Clean Air initiative with Haryana Pollution Control Board.
• Matrix Geo SolutionssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic MoU with DRIIV foundation to advance drone GeoAI for national S&T missions.
• BSES RajdhanisecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEV charger installation partnership in Delhi, planned 3000 EV chargers in BSES Rajdhani territory.
• C-CAMPsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerS&T cluster ecosystem partner for biotechnology and life sciences innovation.
• CLEAN (Denmark)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational S&T cluster partnership for Indo-Danish collaboration on plastic innovation and sustainability.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• T-Hub: Hyderabad-based innovation hub backed by the Government of Telangana that operates a similar cluster/facilitation model for startups, corporates and government. Directly comparable as an Indian government-anchored innovation cluster.
• IIT Madras Research Park: One of India's flagship university-anchored innovation parks operating a triple-helix model with deep industry, academic and government engagement. Directly comparable to DRIIV's IIT Delhi-anchored cluster approach to taking research to market.
• SINE (Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) - IIT Bombay: Technology business incubator hosted at IIT Bombay supporting startups through mentorship, lab access and corporate connects. Mirrors DRIIV's IIT-anchored startup support and ecosystem facilitation mandate in a different Indian geography.
• C-CAMP (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms): Bengaluru-based science and technology cluster also mandated by the Office of PSA to GoI under PM-STIAC. Operates a comparable triple-helix model between academia, industry and government for life sciences innovation, making it the closest structural peer to DRIIV.
• Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) - IIT Delhi: IIT Delhi's industry interface organization for technology transfer, sponsored research and incubation. Sister organization within the same institution as DRIIV, with overlapping mandate around industry-academia collaboration and startup support.

Regional players

• EIT Climate-KIC: EU-backed knowledge and innovation community for climate change, structured as a public-private partnership orchestrating innovation, entrepreneurship and education across Europe. Conceptually aligned with DRIIV's cluster model but operating in a different geography and regulatory environment.
• MaRS Discovery District: Toronto-based innovation hub that convenes entrepreneurs, corporates, academia and government to commercialize breakthrough technologies. Comparable to DRIIV as a multi-stakeholder cluster, but focused on the North American ecosystem.
• IIT Kanpur Innovation Foundation (Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre): IIT Kanpur's incubation and innovation centre supporting deep-tech and sustainability startups through industry and government partnerships. Functionally analogous to DRIIV's startup support mandate but anchored in a different IIt and region.

Emerging players

• Oizom: Ahmedabad-based environmental monitoring company whose Polludrone product is deployed within DRIIV's Project SAMEER. Comparable as an air quality monitoring player in the same Indian ecosystem with overlapping customer and technology overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) - NITI Aayog: Government of India flagship initiative under NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across the country via Atal Incubation Centres and Tinkering Labs. Operates at a much broader national scale but overlaps with DRIIV on the innovation cluster mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DRIIV
• Xx.com/driiv_delhi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about City Knowledge Innovation Cluster, Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation