Lightspeed Venture Partners has launched India Ascends 2026, a new accelerator programme designed to back early-stage deeptech startups founded by under-25 Indian entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to identify and nurture young builders working on cutting-edge research-driven technologies in areas such as robotics, quantum computing, space tech, AI, bio-tech, energy and related fields.

India Ascends is Lightspeed’s first accelerator platform in the country and reflects a broader push by investors to support tech ventures that require long development cycles and deep technical expertise — domains often overlooked by generalist VCs due to higher risk and longer returns on investment. The programme is expected to shortlist a select cohort of promising startups and provide them with funding, mentorship and strategic support to help transform research concepts into viable businesses.

The move comes amid growing interest in India’s deeptech ecosystem, which includes successful founders in aerospace, AI infrastructure and drone technology, and aligns with broader industry momentum around frontier technologies. Lightspeed partner Hemant Mohapatra emphasised the firm’s desire to support homegrown talent and prevent early-stage innovators from relocating abroad to build world-class companies.