Anywhere
Competition
About the Programme: India Ascends 2026 is a flagship accelerator program by Lightspeed designed to identify and back India’s most exceptional founders under 25 years of age. The program focuses on “R&D-first” sectors, targeting innovators building at the frontier of deep technology who are often found in dorm rooms, research labs, and hacker communities.
Focus Areas:
- AI (Artificial Intelligence)
- Space Technology
- Robotics
- Climate Tech
- Biotech
- Energy
- Defense Tech
Who Can Apply:
- Founders and Builders under 25 years of age.
- Innovators working on R&D-heavy deep-tech solutions.
Key Benefits:
- Major Funding: Winning teams (Top 3) receive between $200,000 – $3,000,000 in funding.
- Cloud Credits: Shortlisted teams (Top 12) receive $100,000 in cloud and AI credits; Winners get access to a pool of $800,000+ in credits.
- Bootcamp: A 2-day expert-led bootcamp in Bengaluru for the Top 12 shortlisted teams.
- Mentorship: Access to senior leaders, policymakers, and deep-tech experts from India and the US.
Important Dates:
- Deadline: January 21, 2026.
- Winner Announcement: February 6, 2026.
