University of Chicago and IDTA join hands with IITs to launch India Deep Tech Accelerator
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University of Chicago’s Polsky Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has joined hands with The India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) to support and accelerate India’s emerging deep tech startup ecosystem through the India Deep Tech Accelerator, a new Polsky-led initiative developed in collaboration with leading Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) innovation networks and incubators, including SINE at IIT Bombay, FITT at IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras Research Park.
The India Deep Tech Accelerator will support globally ambitious, IIT-affiliated startups as they sharpen customer positioning, strengthen investor narratives, and build momentum for near-term commercialization and financing milestones in the United States and other global markets. The initiative builds a structured, repeatable pathway connecting startups from India’s premier technical institutions with the potential for fundraising and the Polsky Centre’s deep experience in venture creation, startup acceleration, and international market access. “This accelerator creates a pragmatic bridge: helping founders translate technical differentiation into a compelling market narrative, connect with customers and partners beyond India, and build the credibility needed to raise growth capital internationally. The Deep Tech Alliance is proud to support this model helping more IIT-originated innovation to become globally competitive companies”, Sriram Viswanathan,Founding Managing Partner, Celesta Capital, and Founding Executive Committee Member of the Alliance said.
“India’s IIT network produces extraordinary technical innovation relevant on the global stage,” said Samir Mayekar, Managing Director of the Polsky Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “Through this programme, we are bringing together academic institutions, national initiatives, and investors to help these talented founders bridge the gap from research to global impact.”
The accelerator will run as a 10-week program from April through June 2026 and will be structured for a cohort of up to 15 startups through targeted workshops, coaching, and strategic customer and investor connections.
The accelerator is also expected to align with key showcase moments, including an India showcase and a Bay Area showcase for top-performing companies in June.
Startups participating will be expected to demonstrate strong commercial potential, global ambition, and readiness to pursue U.S. market opportunities.
The Polsky Centre will lead accelerator design and delivery, including programme structure, mentor engagement, startup selection, and coordination of showcase opportunities.
IIT Network partners, including SINE at IIT Bombay, FITT at IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras Research Park, will support startup nominations and founder participation while providing ecosystem context to strengthen program outcomes and long-term institutional collaboration.