Archive · 11 Dec 2025
Lightspeed Launches India Ascends for Deeptech Talent
Lightspeed Venture Partners has started a new program called India Ascends to help young entrepreneurs in India who are working on deep technology.
Deeptech includes things like aerospace, defence, robotics, and AI.
The program will give money to 12 startups run by people under 25 years old.
The top three startups can get up to $3 million.
All 12 startups will get some free cloud and AI services.
The winners will also get more money for computing and help from important people in the industry.
Lightspeed wants to do this program every year and might even include more startups if they get good applications.
This is Lightspeed's first accelerator in India, and they will change it based on feedback.
Lightspeed Venture Partners launches India Ascends accelerator for deeptech startups in India.
Program targets entrepreneurs under 25, offering up to $3 million in seed funding.
12 startups shortlisted, with top three receiving additional $500,000 in compute credits.
Partnerships with Anthropic, Groq, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services for compute credits.
Applications close 12 January, winners announced 6 February, with plans for annual cohorts.
- Who
- Lightspeed Venture Partners
- What
- Launched India Ascends accelerator for deeptech startups
- When
- Current cohort applications close 12 January, winners announced 6 February
- Where
- India
- Why
- To support young entrepreneurs in deeptech sectors like aerospace, defence, robotics, and AI
- Accelerator Name
- India Ascends
- Funding Range
- $200,000 to $3 million
- Target Founders
- Under 25
- Application Deadline
- 12 January
- Winners Announced
- 6 February
- Compute Credits
- $500,000 for winners
- Partners
- Anthropic, Groq, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services