Cohort spans Aerospace & Defence, SpaceTech, BioTech, ESDM and AI; focus on taking proven technologies to commercial scale

Karnataka is strengthening its focus on the next stage of DeepTech growth, with Innoverse, an entity of the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and S&T, Government of Karnataka, identifying seven growth-stage startups as the first cohort of its DeepTech Enabler programme.

The initiative is focused on helping DeepTech companies that have already demonstrated technology and market traction overcome the challenges of commercial scale — including market making & shaping, capital mobilization, policy sandboxes, cross sectoral technology & scale-up infrastructure access.The first cohort brings together startups working across 5 priority sectors, developing technologies spanning autonomous systems, indigenous navigation, regenerative medicine, orbital computing, counter-drone systems and solid propulsion.Hon’ble Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and E-Governance, Priyank Kharge, said “Karnataka has invested significantly in building a strong startup and DeepTech ecosystem, and the next challenge is to help our companies scale from successful technology and early market traction to sustained commercial growth. The first cohort of the Innoverse DeepTech Enabler represents the kind of technology capabilities that can have a significant impact across strategic sectors. By bringing together industry, infrastructure, capital, markets and policy support around these companies, we can create stronger pathways for Karnataka-born technologies to scale nationally and globally.

The First Cohort*The seven startups selected for Innoverse DeepTech Enabler – Cohort 1 are:• AquaAirX Autonomous Systems Pvt Ltd – Developing autonomous amphibious and underwater systems for defence and maritime applications, including technologies for maritime security, offshore infrastructure inspection and seabed mapping.• Fibroheal Woundcare Pvt Ltd – Developing advanced biomaterial-based healthcare solutions using silk protein science for wound care, tissue regeneration, surgical applications and regenerative medicine.• Hyspace Technologies Pvt Ltd (SkyServe) – Building onboard computing infrastructure that enables satellites to process data and generate actionable insights directly in orbit, with applications across maritime and space situational awareness and geospatial risk assessment.• OptM Media Solutions Pvt Ltd – Developing indigenous, edge-AI-enabled autonomous ground-vehicle systems and middleware for defence, with capabilities spanning real-time processing, secure connectivity and autonomous operations.• SpaceFields Pvt Ltd – Developing indigenous solid-propellant and allied technologies for Space, Aerospace and Defence, with capabilities spanning propulsion design, materials, manufacturing, integration and testing.

• UNMANND Autonomy Pvt Ltd – Developing autonomous aerial systems, including high-altitude logistics drones and counter-drone systems, supported by indigenous autonomy, communication and navigation technologies designed for GPS-denied environments.• Yaanendriya Pvt Ltd – Building indigenous sensing, navigation and embedded control systems for defence, aerospace, robotics and industrial applications, including navigation solutions for GPS-limited environments.Addressing the Third Valley of DeathInnoverse has been established within Karnataka’s DeepTech ecosystem to address the gap between technology validation and large-scale commercial deployment.

Its DeepTech Enabler is focused on startups that have proven product-market fit, sizeable revenue and a funding base, but require coordinated access to infrastructure, anchor customers, manufacturing readiness, regulatory support and scale-up capital.This stage is described as the “third Valley of Death” — the transition from initial commercial traction to sustained commercial scale. At this stage, companies face interconnected challenges that inhibit their growth.Through a company-specific Engagement Plan, the DeepTech Enabler will work with each startup to create measurable progress across the defined problem statements.Mr. Pravin Hungund, CEO, Innoverse Foundation, said

“The seven companies in our first cohort have already demonstrated that they can build and validate difficult technologies. The challenge now is different. They need the right customers, infrastructure, regulatory pathways, capital and ecosystem partnerships to move from individual deployments to repeatable commercial scale. The role of Innoverse is to bring these pieces together around each company and build a pathway that is specific to its growth requirements. We want Cohort 1 to demonstrate that DeepTech companies can be systematically supported to cross the Third Valley of Death.”

*The Ecosystem Behind the Cohort*Karnataka already has a strong foundation for DeepTech innovation, supported by research institutions, incubators, Centres of Excellence, specialised testing facilities, investors and government-backed programmes.Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Innoverse Board said, “DeepTech companies face a very different growth journey from conventional startups. Building the technology is only the first part; the real challenge is translating that technology into repeatable deployments, global markets and enduring businesses. Innoverse is addressing an important gap in the ecosystem by bringing together industry, capital, infrastructure, policy and market access around companies that have already demonstrated technological and commercial potential.

The first cohort reflects the depth and diversity of Karnataka’s DeepTech capabilities, and I believe this model can help create a stronger pipeline of globally competitive technology companies emerging from the state.

According to the Innoverse briefing note, Bengaluru’s DeepTech ecosystem comprises 2,610 companies, of which 897 are funded and have raised approximately $4.6 billion. The State has 204 incubators, including 16 Centres of Excellence and more than 50 Technology Business Incubators.The DeepTech Enabler programme is envisioned as an annual nine-month cohort of upto ten startups. Over successive cohorts, Innoverse aims to establish repeatable pathways to build an ecosystem to support high potential deeptech startups over the coming decades.Alongside the Enabler, Innoverse is also developing the Innoverse Connect Programme, which will provide targeted support to early revenue generating startups facing specific challenges.

*Targeting 2X Revenue Growth*Innoverse has set specific growth ambitions for first cohort of Enabler and Connect, targeting a 2x increase in the combined annual revenue of the cohort from approximately ₹35 crore to 70 crore. It also aims to mobilise growth capital from approximately ₹150 crore to more than ₹300 crore.Cohort 1 will run through June 2027, with progress tracked against its revenue and capital targets as well as the anchor-customer contracts, certifications and international market-entry pathways secured for each company. Applications for Cohort 2 are expected to open subsequent to the completion of the first Cohort.