Chiratae Ventures Bets Big on India’s DeepTech Future With New Sonic Program

For years, India’s startup ecosystem has been celebrated for its consumer internet breakthroughs — from ecommerce to fintech to mobility. But quietly, in research labs, university corridors, and niche innovation hubs, a far more ambitious movement has been taking shape. A new generation of founders is attempting the boldest leap yet: building companies rooted in deep science, complex engineering, and frontier technologies that can redefine global industries.

Now, one of India’s most seasoned venture firms wants to accelerate that leap.

Bengaluru-based Chiratae Ventures has launched the Chiratae Sonic DeepTech Program, a dedicated funding and support initiative designed exclusively for early-stage deeptech startups. In a sector where product cycles are long, risks are high, and breakthroughs take patience, this move signals a strong vote of confidence in India’s next wave of science-led entrepreneurship.

Up to $2 Million for Seed to Series A DeepTech Innovators

As part of the program, Chiratae will invest up to $2 million across startups from Seed to Series A. But unlike a typical early-stage fund, Sonic DeepTech is sharply focused on sectors that require scientific expertise and long-term conviction.

The program will seek to support companies working in:

• Energy & Climate

• Quantum Technologies

• Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing

• Space Technologies

• Applied AI & ML

• Defence Technologies

• Bio & MedTech

• Digital Economy

These are not just emerging categories; they represent the backbone of the future global economy.

“DeepTech is India’s Next Big Breakout”

Explaining the vision behind the program, Saharsh Sharma, Vice President, Investments at Chiratae Ventures, said:

“India’s next wave of category-defining companies will come from DeepTech startups that combine research rigour with product thinking.”

He emphasised the critical need for patient capital — investors who understand that deeptech innovation cannot be rushed and often requires years of research, pilot deployments, regulatory navigation, and complex customer adoption cycles.

“Founders need capital that understands long timelines, and partners who open doors with customers and research collaborators,” Saharsh added. “Chiratae Sonic DeepTech is built exactly for that — to give ambitious teams faster conviction and the ecosystem they need to win.”

Not Just Capital — A Full DeepTech Ecosystem

In addition to funding, selected startups will gain access to:

• Global and Indian experts in deep technology

• Research partnerships

• Customer and pilot introductions

• Ecosystem collaborators

• Strategic guidance to help take innovations “from lab to market”

This “beyond capital” support is crucial. Deeptech companies don’t just need capital; they need validation, sandboxes, research partnerships, and long-term believers.

Chiratae’s DeepTech Track Record: $200M+ Deployed

Chiratae Ventures isn’t new to deeptech. The firm has already deployed over $200 million in the space and invested in more than 50 deeptech startups.

Some of its notable investments include:

• Pixis – an AI-driven marketing platform

• Miko – consumer robotics

• Pando.ai – agentic AI solutions

• Agnikul – space technology and rocket innovation

These companies are already demonstrating how India can produce world-class deeptech ventures capable of competing globally.

A 19-Year-Old VC Firm With Strong Returns

Chiratae Ventures today manages $1.3 billion in AUM across seven funds. Over its 19-year journey, the firm has invested in more than 130 companies, achieved 50+ exits, and returned about $1 billion to its limited partners in the last 14 years.

Its portfolio features some of India’s biggest startup success stories — FirstCry, Lenskart, Flipkart, Cult.fit, among others.

With the launch of Chiratae Sonic DeepTech, the firm is now placing a bold bet on what could become India’s next trillion-dollar opportunity.

Applications Now Open

Startups working in deeptech domains can now apply to join the program, marking a major opportunity for early innovators looking for the right partners to help them scale.

As India rises as a global hub for advanced technology and scientific innovation, Chiratae’s move could catalyse a new generation of founders solving some of the world’s toughest problems — from clean energy to quantum computing, space exploration, healthcare engineering, and frontier AI.

In a landscape once dominated by consumer internet stories, this could very well be the beginning of India’s deeptech decade.

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