Deep Tech Gateway India – Softlanding Programme 2026
The programme aims to give researchers and start-up founders from Germany hands-on insight into India’s research, innovation and start-up landscape. The programme will include visits to high-technology research labs, deep-tech incubators and research institutions, thematic workshops as well as active participation in one of India’s largest technology conferences.
Event Information
November 16 to 21, 2026
Bengaluru and Hyderabad
Organizer(s): DWIH New Delhi
Participants will be equipped with information and practical guidance on research cooperation, technology transfer, intellectual property rights and funding opportunities for joint research, scale up and product development in India.
The Deep Tech Gateway India – Softlanding Programme 2026 kicks off the DWIH Innovate initiative in India.
Target group (Germany): Founding members of (deep) tech start-ups (TRL 3–6) at universities and research institutions or PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers working on a product (TRL 3–6). Participants are expected to have completed a Bachelors degree and preferably a Masters Degree.
Applicants of Indian origin would have spent at least 2 years in a study or research programme in Germany at the time of the application.
Number of participants: 9
Participants are selected based on an application process.
Participants of 2026 cohort⮟
Akilan MathiazhaganPhD Researcher, (Mobility) Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus–Senftenberg
Dr. Chandradhish GhoshCo-Founder, Aulixir Therapeutics (Biotechnology)
HarileenKumar GurunathanFounder and Managing Director, Vayura QNav UG (Mobility)
Isa Semih TaflanCo-Founder, Fibclick (Mobility)
Dr. Komali ValishettiCo-Founder, Renatrix (Biotechnology)
Maximilian BodeCo-Founder and Chief Product Officer, Biocompile (Biotechnology)
Dr. Mohammed Al-YusufiPostdoctoral Researcher (Biotechnology), Fraunhofer Institute of Applied Polymer Research IAP
Pascal Helmut Karl-Heinz FechnerCo-Founder and Chief Data Officer, inContAlert GmbH (Biotechnology)
Dr. Santhanakrishnan NarayananPostdoctoral Researcher (Mobility), Technical University of Munich
Check out their detailed profiles here.
Got questions?
Write to Aadishree Jamkhedkar, Head of Programmes, German Centre for Research and Innovation, New Delhi at jamkhedkar@dwih.org and Dr. Riddhi Mahansaria, Programme Officer-DWIH Innovate, German Centre for Research and Innovation – DWIH New Delhi at mahansaria@dwih.org.
Application
Applications for the 2026 cohort are closed.
Head over to the Call for Application page for more details.
