Fostering Ocean Renewable Energy Startups in India: Insights From a Delphi‐Based Foresight Study

ABSTRACT The urgency to address climate change has increased global interest in renewable energy beyond solar and wind. Ocean Renewable Energy (ORE), which includes tidal, wave, and offshore wind, is particularly promising for India with its 7500‐km coastline. This study adopts a foresight‐driven approach, using a Delphi survey of 52 experts, to assess the potential of ORE startups and their role in building a sustainable energy ecosystem. Unlike previous studies that focus mainly on technological or policy aspects, this work uniquely combines foresight analysis with expert consensus to map the strategic pathways required for fostering ORE entrepreneurship in India. The findings highlight critical enablers, including financial support, incubators, accelerators, mentorship, and favorable policies. Over 85% of experts stressed the need for regulatory reforms, 92% emphasized financial support to overcome high capital costs, and 84% highlighted structured mentorship for navigating technical and policy challenges. Additionally, 73% identified strong market opportunities for ORE to complement India's renewable energy mix. This paper contributes a novel framework for strengthening India's ORE startup ecosystem and positioning the country as a global leader in ocean renewable energy by outlining actionable recommendations for policymakers, investors, and stakeholders.