Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program by AIC-IIITH Foundation

• Founders aged 18+ with TRL 3+ innovations in deeptech, cleantech or social impact.

About this scheme

The Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program is a 4-6 month acceleration program run by AIC-IIITH Foundation, the Atal Incubation Centre at IIIT Hyderabad, in partnership with Coherent Corp and supported by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. It exists to close the "transition gap": the hard stretch where a working lab prototype at TRL 3 has to become a market-ready product. The focus is narrow on purpose, covering deep-tech solutions that address social or climate problems and contribute to India's Sustainable Development Goals.

Selected startups and innovators receive milestone-based, equity-free grant support of up to Rs.2,20,000. The grant is released against agreed milestones rather than as a lump sum, so funding tracks real progress from prototype toward a validated, functional pilot.

Beyond capital, the program plugs founders into the IIIT Hyderabad ecosystem. This includes a Research Connect with IIITH's research centres, access to the IIITH Smart City Lab test bed, CIE IIITH startup services, lab facilities and talent, plus bootcamps, masterclasses and mentorship from domain experts on business modelling and scaling for impact. Depending on readiness, startups may join demo days and can be considered for follow-on seed funding.

The strategic aim is to de-risk deep-tech research and move it toward commercial viability without diluting founder equity at a fragile stage. Technology pillars in scope include IoT, AI/ML, computer vision, robotics, drones and similar emerging tech, applied to areas such as sustainability, healthcare and community resilience.

The program is built for early-stage tech startups and for researchers or innovators holding an impact-focused prototype who intend to take it to market as a for-profit venture. Note that selected participants must take at least one accelerator seat at AIC-IIITH for six months and pay a one-time incubation fee of Rs.10,000.

Who can apply

• Early-stage tech startups (idea or MVP stage) with a product or solution at TRL 3 (Proof of Concept) or above
• Also open to individual tech innovators or researchers with an impact-focused prototype who are in the pre-incorporation stage but intend to build a for-profit startup
• Startups must be for-profit; pre-incorporation applicants must affirm they will take the idea forward in for-profit mode
• India-based emerging or IT tech entities with majority Indian shareholding (including OCI and PIO holders)
• Founders must be over 18 years of age at the time of application
• Technology must be integral to the venture, in areas such as IoT, AI/ML, computer vision, robotics or drones
• The solution must target social or environmental impact, benefiting people at the bottom of the pyramid or the wider community, improving the environment, or advancing one or more SDGs
• Startups able to establish a Research Connect with IIIT Hyderabad's research centres are given preference
• If selected, participants must take an accelerator seat at AIC-IIITH for six months and pay a one-time incubation fee of Rs.10,000

Eligible entity types: Private Limited, LLP, Individual Innovator

Benefits & funding

• Milestone-based, equity-free grant of up to Rs.2,20,000, released in tranches against agreed milestones rather than as a lump sum.
• Beyond cash, selected startups get an IIITH Research Connect, access to the Smart City Lab test bed, CIE IIITH startup services, lab facilities and talent, plus bootcamps, masterclasses and expert mentorship on business modelling.
• Depending on readiness, startups may join demo days and be considered for follow-on seed funding.
• Participants must take an accelerator seat at AIC-IIITH for six months and pay a one-time incubation fee of Rs.10,000.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with AIC-IIITH Foundation, in your own name.

1. 1

   Applications are screened by AIC-IIITH against eligibility criteria and program fit.

2. 2

   Best-fit applicants are called before a selection panel for further discussion or presentation, with the panel's decision being final.

3. 3

   Selected startups undergo due diligence before being accepted into the 4, 6 month program with a one-time incubation fee of Rs.

Frequently asked questions