Applications open for Tech30 2026: YourStory begins search for India's next breakout startups

Applications for Tech30 2026, YourStory’s flagship programme spotlighting India’s most promising early-stage startups, are now open.

Every year, Tech30 identifies 30 early-stage startups building breakthrough technologies out of India. The 2026 cohort will be unveiled at TechSparks 2026, YourStory's flagship technology summit, to be held in Bengaluru from October 13-15.

This year's summit is centred on the theme ‘The New Tech Order’, reflecting a shift as Indian deeptech moves from early promise to real-world impact. Tech30 remains one of the key platforms to identify the founders shaping that transition.

A programme with a proven track record

Over the years, Tech30 has become one of India’s most closely watched startup lists. Its alumni include companies such as Freshworks, Chargebee, Juspay, Innovaccer, Capillary, Skyroot, Pixxel, Qure.ai, Addverb, Hasura, Digantara, Apna, Onsurity, and DeepSource.

Collectively, previous Tech30 cohorts have produced two IPOs, five unicorns, nine soonicorns, and 45 minicorns. They have created more than 35,000 jobs while building companies across 53 locations.

More telling is their longevity. Nearly two-thirds of all Tech30 alumni (64.3%) are still actively building, a strong indicator of the programme’s ability to identify companies with long-term potential.

What selected startups get

The 30 startups selected for Tech30 2026 will receive a dedicated exhibition booth at TechSparks 2026, giving them the opportunity to showcase their products to investors, corporates, founders, operators, and the wider startup community throughout the three-day event.

Being selected also places startups alongside a cohort that has consistently highlighted companies long before they became household names.

Who should apply

Tech30 2026 is looking for early-stage deeptech startups solving complex, defensible problems.

The programme is open to startups working across sectors, including space and defence, drones and unmanned systems, robotics and autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and next-generation communications, among others.

This year’s edition is also placing greater emphasis on startups building beyond India’s metropolitan centres. Founders from Tier II cities and emerging startup hubs are strongly encouraged to apply, reflecting the growing depth of innovation across the country.

How startups are selected

Applications go through a two-stage evaluation process.

Startups are assessed on the strength and defensibility of their technology, the significance of the problem they are solving, the capabilities of the founding team, product maturity, market opportunity, scalability, and overall business viability.

The goal is straightforward: to identify 30 startups with the potential to shape the next phase of India’s deeptech ecosystem.

How to apply

Applications for Tech30 2026 are now open and will close on August 24. Founders can submit their applications through the Tech30 2026 registration form.

If you are building a deeptech startup from India, this is your opportunity to be part of one of the country's most closely followed early-stage startup cohort.

Apply here: Registration link