New Delhi is set to become a global hub for deep tech innovation as the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) and the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation unveiled the ‘India Deep Tech Accelerator’ on Tuesday. This groundbreaking 10-week program targets startups emerging from India’s prestigious IITs, aiming to propel them onto the international stage.
Spearheaded by the Polsky Center, the initiative brings together India’s top IIT innovation networks and incubators, including SINE at IIT Bombay, FITT at IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras Research Park. Running from April to June 2026, the accelerator will select up to 15 high-potential deep tech startups for intensive support.
Participants will dive into tailored workshops, one-on-one coaching sessions, and exclusive networking opportunities with potential customers and investors. The program culminates in a high-profile showcase in India in June, followed by a special presentation event in the US Bay Area, where top performers will pitch their cutting-edge solutions to global audiences.
The accelerator addresses a critical gap in the startup ecosystem: bridging the final stretch from innovation to commercialization. By providing funding pathways, venture creation expertise, and international market access, it creates a scalable model for IIT-born ventures seeking rapid global scaling and investment.
IDTA will offer strategic guidance to founders, while Arora Venture Partners has committed up to $200,000 per selected startup. Additional venture capital firms will contribute through workshops, mentoring, and potential investments, amplifying the program’s impact.
Shriram Viswanathan, Founder Managing Partner at Celesta Capital and member of IDTA’s founding executive committee, emphasized the need for this initiative. ‘IITs produce world-class engineering and research, but many deep tech innovations struggle to reach commercial viability. This accelerator will close that last-mile gap,’ he stated.
As India positions itself as a deep tech powerhouse, this collaboration promises to unlock the untapped potential of IIT startups, fostering breakthroughs in areas like AI, biotech, and advanced manufacturing that could redefine global industries.