Flagged off in Ahmedabad by Gujarat CM Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, ADVAIT is India’s first accelerator dedicated to empowering next-gen defense and aerospace startups.
Ahmedabad, May 2025 – The Institute for Defence Studies and Research (IDSR), Gujarat University, in collaboration with India Accelerator (IA), has launched ADVAIT, a pioneering accelerator program tailored for startups in the defense and aerospace sectors. Unveiled in Ahmedabad by Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, ADVAIT aims to shape the future of India’s strategic tech landscape by supporting breakthrough innovations aligned with national security priorities.
At a time when India’s defense budget has crossed ₹6 lakh crore and the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission is driving indigenous defense capabilities, ADVAIT is designed to be a game-changer. The program will nurture early and growth-stage ventures developing solutions in AI, autonomous systems, space tech, advanced materials, cybersecurity, and surveillance.
“India is witnessing a shift where startups are becoming vital contributors to national missions. With ADVAIT, we’re equipping them with the right ecosystem, mentorship, and strategic support to build for India’s defense future,” said Ashish Bhatia, Founder & CEO, India Accelerator.
Arindam Mukhopadhyay, Partner at IA, added, “ADVAIT is more than an accelerator — it’s a national innovation mission. By integrating startups, academia, and industry, we are creating a powerful platform for rapid and relevant defense innovation.”
At the heart of ADVAIT lies the Tripod Approach — a collaborative model that brings together Industry, Academia, and Startups to ensure that innovations are not only technologically robust but also market-ready and strategically aligned.
Program Highlights:
- Applications open from May 5, 2025
- Access to defense-sector problem statements
- Mentorship from domain experts and veterans
- Partnership opportunities with industry leaders
- Funding support for high-potential ventures
- Academic integration to translate research into deployable solutions
“This marks a turning point for India’s defense innovation ecosystem. ADVAIT will empower a new wave of agile, mission-driven startups,” noted Mr. Srinivasa Rao Sureddi, CEO, IDSR.
With ADVAIT, IDSR, IA, and Gujarat University are building a launchpad for India’s next-generation defense and aerospace innovators — ensuring that the country’s strategic edge is powered by indigenous innovation.
