IIT Bombay’s startup incubator, the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), has introduced India’s first-ever incubator-linked venture capital fund, named the Y-Point Venture Capital Fund, with a target corpus of INR 250 Cr (approximately $28 Mn). This landmark initiative is set to reshape the deeptech innovation landscape in India by offering significant financial backing, specialised mentorship, and direct pathways from research labs to commercial markets.
With this fund, SINE aims to invest in 25 to 30 early-stage deeptech startups, offering ticket sizes of up to INR 15 Cr per venture. The focus sectors span some of the most transformational and high-impact technology areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), advanced computing, advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, nuclear technology, spacetech, defencetech, cleantech, life sciences, and healthcare. These domains represent the cutting edge of innovation and align with India’s push toward self-reliance and global technological leadership.
According to SINE CEO Shaji Varghese, the process has already begun, with early evaluations underway and 2-3 investment deals set to close soon. This signals rapid deployment of capital and early momentum for the Y-Point Venture Capital Fund. By targeting startups in critical sectors, the fund intends not only to foster technological breakthroughs but also to support ventures that demand long-term commitment and substantial capital—areas where traditional investors may hesitate due to extended gestation periods and complex developmental cycles.
SINE has built a strong track record, supporting over 500 startups and more than 1,000 innovators over the years. Leveraging this extensive experience, the organisation deeply understands the unique challenges embedded in deeptech entrepreneurship. These challenges include higher capital requirements, the need for specialised laboratory infrastructure, regulatory complexities, and the difficulty of finding domain-specific mentors and investors willing to take early-stage risks.
In an official social media post, IIT Bombay highlighted that the creation of the Y-Point Venture Capital Fund is a direct response to these challenges. Deeptech startups often struggle to bridge the gap between innovation and market-ready products due to limited financial support and long development timelines. By offering a structured, incubator-linked fund, SINE aims to accelerate a startup’s journey from the laboratory phase to full market deployment, ensuring that founders receive not only investment but also holistic support.
This pioneering fund marks a crucial development in India’s innovation ecosystem. As deeptech continues to emerge as a strategic priority for national growth—spanning sectors such as defence technology, sustainable energy, healthcare innovation, and space exploration—the availability of focused venture capital becomes essential. IIT Bombay’s initiative is expected to uplift the deeptech landscape by encouraging breakthroughs that can contribute to both economic development and global competitiveness.
By combining investment, incubation infrastructure, and domain expertise in one integrated platform, SINE’s Y-Point Venture Capital Fund stands to become a cornerstone for India’s next generation of deeptech startups. The move signals a bold step forward, positioning IIT Bombay as a leader in nurturing homegrown innovation with global potential.
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