Who can apply to the Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program?

Early-stage Indian tech startups at idea or MVP stage with a solution at TRL 3 or above, and individual innovators or researchers holding an impact-focused prototype who intend to build a for-profit venture. Founders must be over 18, and the solution must target social or environmental impact.

How much funding does the program provide?

A milestone-based, equity-free grant of up to Rs.2,20,000, released in tranches against agreed milestones over the 4-6 month program.

Which technology areas does the program focus on?

Deep-tech and emerging tech such as IoT, AI/ML, computer vision, robotics and drones, applied to social or climate impact areas like sustainability, healthcare and community resilience.

Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program by AIC-IIITH Foundation – Up to ₹2.2 Lakhs

Q: Is there any cost to participate?

Yes. Selected startups must take at least one accelerator seat at AIC-IIITH for six months and pay a mandatory one-time incubation fee of Rs.10,000.

Q: How long is the program and who runs it?

It is a 4-6 month acceleration program run by AIC-IIITH Foundation, the Atal Incubation Centre at IIIT Hyderabad, in partnership with Coherent Corp and supported by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog.

Grant providers

Provider

AIC-IIITH Foundation

Hyderabad · Telangana · India

AIC-IIITH Foundation is an Atal Incubation Centre established exclusively for incubating and supporting tech-based social enterprises. Located within the IIIT Hyderabad campus, it leverages the institute's innovation ecosystem to deploy entrepreneurial energy and technological…

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How to apply

Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.

1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
2
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.

The Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program is a 4-6 month acceleration program run by AIC-IIITH Foundation, the Atal Incubation Centre at IIIT Hyderabad, in partnership with Coherent Corp and supported by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. It exists to close the "transition gap": the hard stretch where a working lab prototype at TRL 3 has to become a market-ready product. The focus is narrow on purpose, covering deep-tech solutions that address social or climate problems and contribute to India's Sustainable Development Goals.

Selected startups and innovators receive milestone-based, equity-free grant support of up to Rs.2,20,000. The grant is released against agreed milestones rather than as a lump sum, so funding tracks real progress from prototype toward a validated, functional pilot.

Beyond capital, the program plugs founders into the IIIT Hyderabad ecosystem. This includes a Research Connect with IIITH's research centres, access to the IIITH Smart City Lab test bed, CIE IIITH startup services, lab facilities and talent, plus bootcamps, masterclasses and mentorship from domain experts on business modelling and scaling for impact. Depending on readiness, startups may join demo days and can be considered for follow-on seed funding.

The strategic aim is to de-risk deep-tech research and move it toward commercial viability without diluting founder equity at a fragile stage. Technology pillars in scope include IoT, AI/ML, computer vision, robotics, drones and similar emerging tech, applied to areas such as sustainability, healthcare and community resilience.

The program is built for early-stage tech startups and for researchers or innovators holding an impact-focused prototype who intend to take it to market as a for-profit venture. Note that selected participants must take at least one accelerator seat at AIC-IIITH for six months and pay a one-time incubation fee of Rs.10,000.

Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program by AIC-IIITH Foundation

Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program by AIC-IIITH Foundation

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