Government initiatives like the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and Make in India have been critical in accelerating DeepTech startup growth. ISM lays foundational infrastructure by supporting semiconductor fabrication plants and design centers, aiming to make India self-reliant in chip manufacturing, a core component of tech innovation shared Dr. Sunil K Shekhawat, Co-Founder & CEO of SanchiConnect in an exclusive interaction with Kaanchi Chawla of Elets News Network (ENN). Edited excerpts:
What was the defining moment that led to the creation of SanchiConnect? How did your personal or professional experiences shape the platform’s core vision?
SanchiConnect was born out of a series of discussions between me on one side and the leadership of Baring PE Partners – India leadership on the other side in the later half of 2021. The experiences revealed key pain points vis-a-vis opportunities across the startup ecosystem, particularly for DeepTech ventures, such as challenges in funding in every stage, mentorship, and industry connections which a lot of founders lack when they begin. Recognising these hurdles sparked the vision to create SanchiConnect as a specialised platform empowering DeepTech startups. Its core mission is to simplify access to critical resources like investor outreach, mentorship, and corporate partnerships, enabling startups to scale effectively. This vision embodies collaboration, enablement of enablers, and ecosystem focus, aiming to revolutionise how tech founders communities grow and succeed, with SanchiConnect now supporting over 4,000 startups, investors, and corporations nationwide.
How is SanchiConnect enabling the deep-tech and manufacturing startup ecosystem differently from other incubators or accelerators in India?
SanchiConnect works alongside / partners with existing incubators and accelerators and creates a layer of ecosystem that distinctly supports the DeepTech and manufacturing startup ecosystem by providing an integrated platform that goes beyond traditional incubation. SanchiConnect’s sectoral focussed accelerator programs deliver early capital, business mentorship, leadership building through founder -1 hiring support, and go-to-market support. Its strong community of industry veterans, institutional funds and successful founders creates an impactful ecosystem for knowledge exchange and funding, driving exponential scale and success specifically for hard-tech innovation in India.
Can you share a few examples of startups that have significantly benefited from SanchiConnect’s ecosystem or mentorship programs?
SanchiConnect’s Velocity Accelerator Program showcases startups benefitting from its robust ecosystem. For instance, Induz uses AI to automate enterprise data management, LeanWorx delivers cloud-based productivity tools for manufacturers, and Think Metal developed a 3D metal printer that offers ten times faster production at half the cost. Other startups like Presage Insights harness advanced AI for predictive analytics across industries, and CargoFL applies AI-powered logistics solutions to optimise supply chains. All of them leveraging the accelerator platform by SanchiConnect combinely closed INR 48 Cr from YourNest VC. Similarly MaXcel, another similar format accelerator with Capital A VC- a Bangalore based AIF, is close to making funding announcements in 4-5 startups with hardware focus.
What role do you think government policies (like the India Semiconductor Mission or Make in India) play in accelerating the growth of deep-tech startups?
Government initiatives like the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and Make in India have been critical in accelerating DeepTech startup growth. ISM lays foundational infrastructure by supporting semiconductor fabrication plants and design centers, aiming to make India self-reliant in chip manufacturing, a core component of tech innovation. Make in India enhances this by creating a conducive environment for manufacturing startups through incentives, regulatory easing, and attracting global investments. These policies provide vital funding, R&D encouragement, and collaborative platforms that complement platforms like SanchiConnect. Together, they create a holistic ecosystem where startups can innovate rapidly, scale globally, and reduce dependency on imports, positioning India as a significant deep-tech manufacturing hub.
What are the biggest gaps between academia, industry, and startup ecosystems that still need to be bridged for India to become a true innovation hub?
The lower number of researches / R&Ds converting into commercial business highlights the significant gaps that still exist between academia, industry, and startup ecosystems in India that need bridging to become a true innovation hub. Often, academic research struggles to translate into scalable commercial products due to a lack of industry engagement and strategic vision. Additionally, startups face challenges accessing specialized business mentorship and market networks critical for deep-tech advancement. Fragmented and isolated program management and absence of collaboration platforms further widen these gaps. Efforts like those by SanchiConnect demonstrate how nurturing collaborative networks, integrating mentorship, and automating program management can streamline the pathway from ideation to market, but sustained focus on aligning incentives and enhancing linkages between research institutions, corporates, and startups remains crucial.
Also Read: Building an AI-Ready Data Foundation for the Future of Enterprises
What investment trends are you observing in 2026 around AI, climate tech, and manufacturing innovation?
In 2026, investment trends are strongly focused on sustainable AI and manufacturing innovation, with key priorities around sustainability, data dominance, and supply chain resilience. AI-driven solutions like machine vision, predictive analytics, and digital twins are reshaping manufacturing for higher productivity and agility. Material sciences, clean energy, circular economy and workforce upskilling are going to be the key drivers in the innovation sector at the same time make the country resilient to uncertainties due to geopolitics. Ventures that integrate these technologies with clear ESG benefits are going to attract strong funding interest, reflecting a global push towards sustainable, data-driven industrial transformation.
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