Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program

• Deeptech, AI or cleantech startups with TRL 5+ technology, under 10 years old.

About this scheme

The Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad is a strategic virtual incubation program designed to support early-stage, long-gestation deeptech startups in India. The initiative focuses on enabling startups working on advanced and frontier technologies to accelerate their growth, strengthen their technological and intellectual property capabilities, and gain access to markets and investors. It is positioned as a high-impact ecosystem intervention aimed at strengthening India's global leadership in deeptech innovation.

The program is structured as a continuous, pipeline-based incubation model that allows startups to engage throughout the year rather than through fixed cohorts. This flexible structure ensures that startups can enter the program at the right stage of readiness and receive support aligned with their growth trajectory. The initiative emphasizes long-term value creation by supporting startups in building defensible technologies, improving regulatory understanding, and achieving product-market fit.

A key component of the program is its strong focus on ecosystem integration. Participating startups gain access to Nasscom's extensive network of industry partners, investors, mentors, and corporate stakeholders. This enables meaningful opportunities for pilot projects, partnerships, and global exposure. The program also facilitates investor readiness through curated interactions and strategic guidance, helping startups position themselves effectively for fundraising.

The Launchpad offers a mix of one-on-one mentorship and structured learning sessions, including masterclasses on intellectual property, regulatory compliance, go-to-market strategies, fundraising, and storytelling. It also provides access to virtual tools and infrastructure that support startup operations and scaling efforts.

Who can apply

• Startups must be working on products or solutions that primarily leverage deep technologies
• The startup must have a functional Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
• Minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) required is 5 or above
• The startup must be less than 10 years old since incorporation
• The startup must be legally registered in India
• Applicable to early-stage deeptech startups across domains such as AI/ML, robotics, IoT, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotech, advanced materials, photonics, climate tech, space tech, and enterprise tech

Eligible entity types: LLP, Private Limited

Benefits & funding

• The program offers virtual incubation, one-on-one mentorship, and structured masterclasses on IP, regulatory compliance, go-to-market strategies, fundraising, and storytelling.
• Startups gain access to Nasscom's extensive network of industry partners, investors, and mentors, facilitating pilot projects, partnerships, global exposure, and investor readiness.
• It also provides access to virtual tools and infrastructure, supporting IP capabilities, market access, and overall growth acceleration.

How the application process works

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

1. 1

   Applications are reviewed online on a rolling monthly basis, evaluated against criteria like technology depth, market relevance, and team strength.

2. 2

   Shortlisted startups present to an expert jury panel, with final selection based on jury evaluation and program fit.

Frequently asked questions