Investor Profile: SanchiConnect — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

SanchiConnect is a deeptech enablement network from Noida, India, built to fix the three problems early deeptech founders face most: investor outreach, mentorship and corporate networking. Founded in 2022, it runs a community platform, a SaaS toolkit for innovation programmes, and funding-led accelerator tracks. It is not a traditional venture fund writing cheques from its own balance sheet; it connects startups with investors, mentors, corporates, incubators and government programmes, and runs accelerators powered by partner funds.

Thesis

SanchiConnect's thesis is that deeptech has immense transformative potential but a complex funding environment, so founders need a connected ecosystem more than a single cheque. Its stated vision is to democratise Indian deeptech and emerging-tech opportunities globally, and its platform is built to make discovery, comparison, connection and transaction between stakeholders frictionless.

Sectors and stages

SanchiConnect focuses on deeptech and emerging tech, from idea stage through pre-seed and growth stage. Its accelerator tracks split by stage: the Startup Co-Pilot programme serves idea-stage founders, while the AIF-Funded Accelerator serves growth-stage ventures with validated products. Its climate track, Ecosphere, covers energy and electrification, carbon capture and storage, supply-chain traceability, water conservation, waste management, circular economy, alternate fuels and climate finance. Corporate and government collaboration is a core offer, not an add-on.

Fund size and cheque size

SanchiConnect's own fund size is not publicly disclosed, because it is a network and accelerator operator rather than a fund manager. Funding reaches startups through its partner route: the AIF-Funded Accelerator is powered by partner Alternative Investment Funds, and the Preseed Accelerator Program was built with top micro-VCs offering initial funding. The Startup Co-Pilot programme is described as equity-free and six months long.

Portfolio

SanchiConnect does not publish a conventional equity portfolio. Instead, its official site states that its deeptech community platform has over 3,000 deeptech startups, investors, incubation centres and corporates networking and learning on it. Its institutional footprint is visible in its SaaS work: its white-labelled platform Powerconnect, built at the behest of SINE IIT Bombay, is now adopted by T-Hub, Nasscom and IIT Kanpur, among others. Its Ecosphere programme names Thinkuvate, Transition Venture Fund, Indian Angels Network and Climate9ers as associated institutional investors.

Partners and programmes

SanchiConnect's programmes include the Preseed Accelerator Program, the Startup Co-Pilot programme, the AIF-Funded Accelerator, and Ecosphere, its pre-seed accelerator for climate-tech startups. Its tools include Powerconnect, for programme and incubation management, and PowerPitch, a video-based application and assessment tool. Dr Sunil Shekhawat, chief executive of SanchiConnect, is named as its leader in coverage of Ecosphere. The through-line is practical: mentorship, proof-of-concept opportunities, market access and investor connections, delivered through structured programmes.

How to apply for funding from SanchiConnect

Founders join by registering on the SanchiConnect platform at sanchiconnect.com, then joining and connecting with mentors, enterprises and investors, and taking part in community events, demo days and investor pitch sessions. For accelerator tracks, the route is the complete online application form on its accelerator pages, covering startup details, team information and product description, followed by shortlisting, a pitch to the selection committee, and due diligence. Ecosphere applications have also been opened on the SanchiConnect website and the Government of India's Manthan platform.