Karnataka govt’s Innoverse identifies seven startups for deeptech scale-up programme
The programme will support startups with market access, capital mobilisation, policy support, and access to technology and scale-up infrastructure, the IT/BT department said in a statement. The cohort comprises aerospace and defence startup AquaAirX Autonomous Systems, biotech startup Fibroheal Woundcare, space-tech startup Hyspace Technologies, deftech startup OptM Media Solutions, space and…
Karnataka's IT/BT department has unveiled its Deeptech Enabler programme, selecting seven growth-stage startups as the inaugural cohort. The initiative aims to assist companies in scaling services that have already shown market success by providing support in areas such as market access, capital mobilisation, policy assistance, and technology infrastructure.
Among the first cohort are AquaAirX Autonomous Systems (aerospace and defence), Fibroheal Woundcare (biotech), Hyspace Technologies (space-tech), OptM Media Solutions (deftech), SpaceFields (space and propulsion), UNMANND Autonomy (autonomous systems), and Yaanendriya (navigation and sensing).
The programme targets startups that have progressed beyond technology validation and early commercial traction but encounter obstacles in larger deployment. Key challenges include securing anchor customers, access to infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, regulatory approvals, and growth capital. Each startup will receive a tailored engagement plan, with progress measured against specific outcomes.
IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized the state's next goal is to aid startups in transitioning from technology development and early market traction to sustained commercial growth by leveraging industry, infrastructure, capital, markets, and policy support.
Pravin Hungund, CEO of the Innoverse Foundation, highlighted the importance of customers, regulatory pathways, and ecosystem partnerships for startups to achieve commercial scale. Karnataka's deeptech ecosystem currently comprises 2,610 companies, with 897 funded and having raised approximately $4.6 billion. The state boasts 204 incubators, including 16 centres of excellence and over 50 technology business incubators.
The Deeptech Enabler programme will operate as a nine-month annual cohort, with a maximum of 10 startups participating per cycle. The foundation aims to increase the combined annual revenue of programme participants by two-fold, from around Rs 35 crore to Rs 70 crore, and mobilise over Rs 300 crore in growth capital, surpassing the initial benchmark of approximately Rs 150 crore.
The first cohort will run through June 2027, with progress evaluated based on revenue and capital mobilisation, anchor-customer contracts, certifications, and international market-entry pathways.
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