The Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) has launched SINE ACE (Acceleration through Collaborative Engagement), a sector-specific deep-tech accelerator designed to help startups move from technology development to commercial adoption, beginning with semiconductors. The programme includes structured mentoring, corporate pilot opportunities and potential investments of up to ₹5 crore.
Deep-tech startups often have longer development and validation cycles, requiring specialised infrastructure, technical expertise, patient capital and sustained engagement with potential customers. SINE says they also need opportunities to test technologies against real-world requirements and build early commercial relationships.
ACE Cohort 1 will select 6–8 semiconductor startups at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above through a pan-India call for applications. Each startup will be matched with an industry partner and have three mentors representing industry, SINE or IIT Bombay, and the investment ecosystem. Participants will also have access to domain-specific masterclasses, IIT Bombay technical expertise and facilities, and proof-of-concept projects or pilots with corporate partners.
The inaugural cohort is supported by Ather Energy, ElectraEV, ideaForge, Inflexor Ventures, MeitY Startup Hub, SemiX, Speciale Invest and Y-Point Ventures. The partners will contribute industry problem statements, mentoring, potential use cases, investment perspectives and ecosystem connections. Promising ventures may be considered for equity investments of up to ₹5 crore from SINE or its venture capital fund, Y-Point, alongside potential investments from associated investors, subject to evaluation and investment considerations.
Prof. Milind Atrey, deputy director (academics, research & translation) at IIT Bombay, said: “IIT Bombay's Centres of Excellence hold deep expertise and world-class facilities. ACE connects these directly with startups and industry partners, so that technology validated in our labs can be tested against real industry requirements”.
Future ACE cohorts are envisaged in areas including Quantum Technologies, AI in Manufacturing and Robotics, Space and Defence Technologies, Nuclear Energy and Advanced Materials. Further information about the accelerator is available at https://ace.sineiitb.org/.
