Bangalore, September 16 2023: EPIC Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded by industry veterans and Cofounders of HCL Dr Ajai Chowdhry and Arjun Malhotra  has announced the launch of two products –   an LED Driver chip that is designed by a startup in Bengaluru and ready to go into production to replace a Chinese chip and 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 believes India can become the next design and manufacturing destination, thereby contributing to making India a US $400bn Electronics industry.
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, 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.
Said Dr Ajai Chowdhry, “Creating a robust design & manufacturing ecosystem requires 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”
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 start up incubators and accelerators. We will support these start ups with Technical mentoring,  go-to-market strategies and help overcome operational issues and challenges.”