INDIA Deepspark 2026 — Up to ₹9.5 Cr Equity for Deep Tech Startups

Aum Ventures runs INDIA Deepspark 2026 as its flagship programme for Indian deep tech founders who are building a company around their own intellectual property. The aim is to carry such ventures from the research bench through to commercialisation, and to open a route to customers and partners well outside India.

Capital is deployed at the pre-seed stage, with a ceiling of US$1 million — roughly ₹9.52 crore. Applications run on a rolling basis, so there is no closing date; founders can apply whenever their team and technology are ready. The sectors in scope sit firmly at the deep tech end of the market: SpaceTech, Aerospace & DefenseTech, Semiconductors, Edge AI, Energy & Infrastructure, Advanced Materials, Quantum and Robotics.

What makes Deepspark different from a conventional accelerator is the basis on which it invests. Aum Ventures backs the founding team and the defensibility of the technology rather than a finished product, which means a venture still in development or pre-revenue is a legitimate candidate. In exchange for equity, selected companies join a cohort that receives capital, strategic guidance and introductions across a global network.

• Pre-seed equity investment of up to ₹9.52 crore (US$1 million)
• Built for IP-led deep tech ventures across Quantum, Semiconductors, SpaceTech, Robotics and more
• Rolling applications — the programme is always open
• Backs team and technology strength, not a finished product
• Global partner network across the U.S., Israel and the Middle East
• Mentorship, fundraising guidance and founder roadshows

Stage: Early-stage companies — typically still in the idea or product-development phase, and often pre-revenue. Deepspark is designed for ventures making the jump from laboratory research to a commercial product.

Technology: The company must own proprietary technology. Aum Ventures weighs the novelty and defensibility of the intellectual property, along with the genuine depth of the underlying science or engineering.

Sectors: SpaceTech, Aerospace & DefenseTech, Semiconductors, Edge AI, Energy & Infrastructure, Advanced Materials, Quantum and Robotics.

Geography: Founders building from India, with the ambition to sell and scale globally. The programme is framed as Indian innovation aimed at world markets.

On registration and entity type: The published criteria do not list DPIIT or MSME registration as a condition, and no particular entity type is specified — the screen sits on stage, technology and geography instead.

What counts in your favour: Conviction in the founding team and its vision carries real weight, and a fully finished product is explicitly not expected.

INDIA Deepspark 2026 — Up to ₹9.5 Cr Equity for Deep Tech Startups is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

INDIA Deepspark 2026 — Up to ₹9.5 Cr Equity for Deep Tech Startups accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.

Up to US$1 million (approximately ₹9.52 crore) in pre-seed capital. The money is invested as equity and the decision rests chiefly on the founding team and its proprietary technology rather than on a completed product.

Global network access. Portfolio companies are connected to strategic partners across the U.S., Israel and the Middle East, which helps with international market entry and cross-border collaboration.

Direct introductions to industry leaders, creating openings for partnerships and early commercial traction.

Milestone and fundraising guidance. Founders get hands-on help setting and hitting key business milestones, and preparing for the funding rounds that follow.

Market validation support. Sectoral experts and advisors help test whether a proprietary technology genuinely fits the market it is aimed at.

Founder-focused roadshows. These bring together India's DeepTech ecosystem across leading innovation hubs for peer learning, networking and visibility.

Training and workshops form part of the offering mix as well.

INDIA Deepspark 2026 — Up to ₹9.5 Cr Equity for Deep Tech Startups is offered by Aum Ventures. It is delivered directly by Aum Ventures as a equity. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

• Online application. Start by submitting through the programme portal at https://aumvc.com/deepspark-apply. Expect to set out your team, your deep tech solution, its market potential and the proprietary technology behind it.

• Initial screening. Aum Ventures' own team reviews every application against the Deepspark thesis, weighing technological innovation, the strength and vision of the founding team, the novelty and defensibility of the intellectual property, and the size of the market opportunity.

• Detailed submission. Shortlisted teams may be asked for a fuller pitch deck or for additional material covering their intellectual property and business model.

• Interviews and due diligence. Selected startups go through multiple rounds with Aum Ventures partners, mentors and industry experts, including technical deep-dives with sectoral specialists and presentations to a panel of advisors. Diligence covers the technology, the market opportunity and the team's capabilities.

• Final pitch. A select group of finalists presents to an investment committee made up of experienced venture capitalists, deep tech founders and industry leaders, who judge each venture on its potential for global scale and transformative impact.

• Investment offer. Successful startups receive an investment offer and begin their journey with the INDIA Deepspark cohort.

Before you apply to INDIA Deepspark 2026 — Up to ₹9.5 Cr Equity for Deep Tech Startups, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

INDIA Deepspark 2026 — Up to ₹9.5 Cr Equity for Deep Tech Startups is best suited for startups in India seeking an equity investment of ₹9.5Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.