July 21, 2026: The Startup Incubation Centre at Nashik Engineering Cluster (NEC) has announced DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026, a proposed national innovation programme aimed at bringing researchers, startups, students, engineers and industry together to develop technology solutions for real-world challenges.
The DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026 initiative is focused on helping deep-tech ideas move beyond laboratories and prototypes by connecting innovators with mentors, industry partners, investors and incubation support. Organisers say the programme is intended to strengthen collaboration between academia, startups and manufacturing while creating a pathway for technologies with commercial and societal applications.
Startup India, MeitY Support NEC’s DeepTech Initiative
The hackathon is supported by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India through the Manthan Platform, Startup India under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and the MeitY Startup Hub under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The initiative is also backed by SIDBI, MathWorks, Rishabh Instruments, JustWhere.io (USA), Fox Solutions, along with government organisations and industry partners.
DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026 will focus on sectors including artificial intelligence and machine learning, IoT, smart sensors, industrial automation, robotics, advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, electric mobility, clean energy, sustainability, AgriTech, smart cities, defence and aerospace.
Participation is open without an entry fee to students, innovators, startups, researchers, engineers, MSMEs and industry professionals across India. The programme will include online applications, screening, mentoring, bootcamps, prototype development, jury evaluations, final pitching sessions and post-event incubation support.
Selected teams will receive technical mentoring, prototype development assistance, intellectual property guidance, startup registration support, go-to-market strategy, investor readiness programmes, networking opportunities and incubation support.
According to NEC, the initiative aims to create a national pipeline of deep-tech startups while strengthening collaboration between industry, academia and the startup ecosystem in Nashik and across India.
Applications for DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026 are now open.
Participation Link: https://tinyurl.com/NEC-DeepTech-Hackathon-2026
