Nasscom DeepTech Club (DTC) — Membership (Join as a Startup) is a grant from NASSCOM 10000 Startups for open to India-registered deeptech startups less than 10 years old with a functional MVP at Technology Readiness Level 5 or above,…. It provides Incubation + funding support, for deeptech (general). Applications are open on a rolling basis. Last verified against the official page on 22 September 2026.
Key facts
| Amount / benefit | Incubation + funding support |
|---|---|
| Provider | NASSCOM 10000 Startups |
| Where | Pan-India |
| Stage | Early Revenue, Early Stage |
| Sector | Deeptech (general) |
| Deadline | Rolling / always open |
| Community size | 450+ member startups since the club's 2017 launch |
| Mentor network | 120+ technology leaders and industry mentors |
| Selection ratio | Under 7 accepted per 100 applicants |
| Industry connects | 5,100+ |
| Mentoring delivered | 4,200+ hours |
| Cumulative funding raised by members | $1.5+ billion |
| Programme vision | 1,000+ world-class deeptech startups in India by 2030 |
| Active membership tracks | DTC Launchpad (continuous, rolling virtual incubation) and DTC Accelerate (20-week sector-specific cohorts) |
What is Nasscom DeepTech Club?
Nasscom DeepTech Club (DTC) is nasscom's mentoring community for Indian deeptech startups, launched in 2017. It has 450+ member startups, 120+ mentors, an acceptance ratio under 7 per 100 applicants, 5,100+ industry connects and 4,200+ mentoring hours logged, and a cumulative $1.5+ billion raised, with a goal of 1,000+ deeptech startups in India by 2030.
Startups join via two tracks. DTC Launchpad is a continuous, rolling virtual incubation for India-registered startups under 10 years old with a functional MVP at TRL 5+, spanning AI/ML, robotics, IoT, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotech, agritech, climate tech or enterprise tech. DTC Accelerate is a separate 20-week sector cohort programme (e.g. Agri & Water Tech, Industry 4.0) with its own periodic windows.
Membership connects startups with corporates, mentors, VCs and incubator partners; Launchpad members also get IP, compliance, go-to-market and fundraising masterclasses. Applications go via the Join as a Startup link, screened on technology depth, IP strength, market relevance and team capability, then a jury round before onboarding.
Who is eligible for Nasscom DeepTech Club?
Open to India-registered deeptech startups less than 10 years old with a functional MVP at Technology Readiness Level 5 or above, working in one of the club's listed deep-technology domains; the Accelerate track additionally runs sector-specific cohorts (e.g. Agri & Water Tech, Industry 4.0) with their own eligibility windows.
You qualify if:
- You qualify if your product or solution primarily leverages a deep-technology domain such as AI/ML, robotics & automation, IoT, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotech & life sciences, advanced materials & nanotechnology, photonics & optics, agritech, climate tech, enterprise tech, or satellite & space tech
- You qualify if your startup has a functional Minimum Viable Product (MVP) at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5 or above
- You qualify if your startup is less than 10 years old since incorporation
- You qualify if your startup is legally registered in India
How much does Nasscom DeepTech Club give, and in what form?
Incubation + funding support, as incubation + funding support.
How to apply for Nasscom DeepTech Club
- Use the 'Join as a Startup' link on the DTC site to reach the current application form (routes to whichever track — Launchpad or an open Accelerate cohort — is currently accepting applications)
- Submit the online application; DTC Launchpad accepts submissions anytime on a rolling basis, while DTC Accelerate cohorts open and close on their own announced dates
- Applications are evaluated on technology depth and innovation, IP strength and defensibility, market relevance, scalability potential, team capability and alignment with the programme's focus areas
- Shortlisted startups present to an expert jury panel for final selection
- For Launchpad, selected startups are onboarded on the 10th of the following month; startups not selected can reapply in a later cycle
Latest update
6 March 2026: DTC Accelerate: Industry 4.0 Cohort — first cohort announced, focused on TRL 7-9 startups in IoT, robotics, cloud computing, digital twins, cybersecurity, industrial automation and 5G; last date to apply was 6 March 2026. Source
Frequently asked questions
What is the Nasscom DeepTech Club?
It is nasscom's community for Indian deeptech startups, launched in 2017 to nurture and promote world-class deeptech product companies. It has 450+ member startups and 120+ mentors, an acceptance ratio under 7 per 100 applicants, and members have collectively raised over $1.5 billion, with a stated goal of reaching 1,000+ deeptech startups in India by 2030.
How does a startup join the Nasscom DeepTech Club?
Startups apply via the 'Join as a Startup' link on the DTC site, which currently routes into DTC Launchpad (a continuous, rolling virtual incubation programme) or an open DTC Accelerate cohort (a 20-week, sector-specific programme with its own application window).
What is the eligibility criteria to join the DeepTech Club?
A startup must be legally registered in India, less than 10 years old since incorporation, have a functional Minimum Viable Product (MVP) at Technology Readiness Level 5 or above, and its product must primarily use one of the club's listed deep-technology domains such as AI/ML, robotics, IoT, semiconductors, quantum computing or biotech.
What is the difference between DTC Accelerate and DTC Launchpad?
DTC Accelerate is a 20-week, sector-specific cohort programme (recent cohorts covered Agri & Water Tech and Industry 4.0) that opens and closes applications on its own announced dates. DTC Launchpad is a continuous, pipeline-based virtual incubation programme that accepts applications year-round on a rolling basis, with monthly evaluation and onboarding cycles.
Is there a fixed deadline to join the DeepTech Club?
Not for the club as a whole. DTC Launchpad states that startups can apply anytime, with applications accepted throughout the month on a rolling basis. DTC Accelerate cohorts, by contrast, run on their own periodic application windows with announced launch and deadline dates for each cohort.
What benefits does DeepTech Club membership offer?
Members get mentorship from 120+ industry leaders, connects with corporates, VCs and investors, and access to nasscom's incubator/accelerator partner network. DTC Launchpad members additionally receive masterclasses on IP, regulatory compliance, go-to-market strategy and fundraising.
How selective is the Nasscom DeepTech Club?
The club states an acceptance ratio of under 7 accepted per 100 applicants, and today counts 450+ member startups drawn from that selective process since its 2017 launch.
How are DeepTech Club applications evaluated?
Applications are reviewed against technology depth and innovation, IP strength and defensibility, market relevance and opportunity, scalability potential, team capability and execution strength, and alignment with the programme's focus areas; shortlisted startups then present to an expert jury panel before final selection.
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Source and verification
Official programme page: nasscom.in. Last verified 22 September 2026. Government programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official programme page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.