i-Hub Gujarat, SanchiConnect Scale Accelerator to Support 30 Defence, Aerospace Startups

Government-backed startup incubator Gujarat Student Startup and Innovation Hub (i-Hub Gujarat) has extended support to 30 startups working in defence, drone, and space technology through the second cohort of its TattvaX Acceleration Programme, in partnership with deeptech community network SanchiConnect. 

TattvaX Acceleration Programme supports early-stage deeptech startups in India's defence, drone and space sectors, supporting them with mentorship and investor access.

i-Hub Gujarat said the programme is designed for founders who have strong technical capabilities but need structured support to build investable, scalable companies. 

"Our vision with TattvaX transcends standard acceleration; we are building a robust support system that empowers deeptech founders to solve hard, strategically important problems,” Hiranmay Mahanta, CEO of i-Hub Gujarat, said in a statement.

"By actively promoting indigenous technology adoption within the SME ecosystem, we are not just nurturing individual startups, we are cultivating resilient local markets that provide the essential testing ground for home-grown innovation to scale and compete globally," he added.

According to i-Hub Gujarat, the partnership with SanchiConnect is expanding beyond TattvaX. The two organisations are launching sector-specific accelerators aligned with state priorities, with active programmes already underway in the drone and aerospace sectors, the company said.

The accelerator programe includes innovation showcases that connect startups with investors and stakeholders such as state police departments, municipal corporations, and regional public sector undertakings (PSUs). i-Hub Gujarat said this is intended to create pipelines that move indigenous technology from research labs to large-scale deployment.

SanchiConnect said its approach centres on building focused micro-ecosystems by partnering with state governments, industry associations, and incubation centres.  This model gives startups a structured way to engage with industry buyers, investors, and policymakers to develop solutions that can be deployed at scale.

Sunil K Shekhawat, Co-founder and CEO of SanchiConnect, said the focus has been on connecting research and development with private capital and the SME sector. 

"Our primary focus has been to bridge the gap between cutting-edge R&D, private capital, and the SME ecosystem. By ensuring our founders are ready with the fundamentals- story, numbers, and market insight, we are actively generating local demand for indigenous technology, turning the SME sector into a launchpad for the startups that will define India's self-reliant future," he said.

i-Hub Gujarat said the program's Demo Day brought together 30 startups over two days with more than 20 investors and corporate leaders in attendance.