Last Updated Dec - 11 - 2025, 10:37 AM | Source : Fela News | Visitors : 4
India first incubator-linked deep tech venture fund aims to accelerate research startups into market-ready ventures.
In a major milestone for India’s innovation ecosystem, IIT Bombay’s Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) has launched the country’s first incubator-linked deep tech venture capital fund, the Y-Point Venture Capital Fund, with a corpus of Rs 250 crore.
This pioneering initiative aims to bridge a long-standing gap in early-stage funding for deep tech startups ventures rooted in fundamental scientific research and advanced engineering which often struggle to secure capital due to their long development timelines and high technical risks.
Unlike traditional VC funds, the Y-Point Fund is managed directly by an incubator connected to an academic institution. This unique model leverages IIT Bombay’s research strengths and entrepreneurial network to nurture startups from concept to commercialization.
The fund’s focus spans several high-impact sectors including artificial intelligence, advanced computing, materials science, manufacturing technologies, space and defence tech, life sciences, healthcare, and climate tech areas where cutting-edge research could translate into transformative solutions.
According to announcements by the institute, 25-30 early-stage startups are expected to benefit from this capital, with individual investments of up to Rs 15 crore per company. This kind of support is vital for deep tech firms, whose innovations often require substantial infrastructure, multidisciplinary expertise, and sustained funding before achieving market viability.
For students, researchers, and founders emerging from universities and research labs, the Y-Point Fund could be transformative. By combining financial backing with mentorship, strategic guidance, and industry connections, the program seeks not only to boost individual ventures but also to strengthen India’s position in global technology leadership.
Dr K. Radhakrishnan, Chairperson of the IIT Bombay Board of Governors, highlighted that the fund will help “accelerate the lab-to-market journey” a phase where many research-based innovations falter due to lack of capital or business support.
The launch of this fund reflects a broader recognition that cutting-edge research alone isn’t enough; startups must be equipped with the right resources, networks, and financial fuel to thrive in competitive global markets. By fusing academic excellence with venture capital discipline, IIT Bombay is setting an ambitious precedent that other institutions may soon follow.
Analysts believe that such dedicated deep tech funding could spark a more vibrant innovation culture across India, attracting talent and catalysing breakthroughs in tomorrow’s most critical technologies from AI and robotics to next-generation manufacturing and climate solutions.
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