India agri and water deeptech startups push for scale: Nasscom
Synopsis
Nasscom's Deeptech Confluence 2026 put a spotlight on a quiet but consequential shift: Indian agri and water startups are no longer just running pilots — they are chasing enterprise-scale deployments. With AI, IoT, and biotech converging, and the DTC Accelerate programme backing 12 startups, the sector may be approaching the inflection point it has long promised.
Key Takeaways
Nasscom highlighted India's growing agri and water deeptech ecosystem at Deeptech Confluence 2026 in New Delhi on 12 June 2026 .
12 startups from the DTC Accelerate 20-week growth programme were showcased at the event.
Innovations span AI, IoT, biotechnology, materials science, sensing, automation , and climate technologies .
Sangeeta Gupta , Senior VP and Chief Strategy Officer at Nasscom, said agri and water are sectors where deeptech can deliver significant economic, environmental, and social impact.
Many startups continue to struggle with scaling beyond the pilot stage — the Confluence was designed to bridge that gap through enterprise and investor connections.
India's deeptech ecosystem in agriculture and water management is gaining significant momentum, with a growing cohort of startups shifting focus from pilot projects to large-scale commercialisation, the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) said on Friday, 12 June 2026. The industry body made the assessment at its Deeptech Confluence 2026 event in New Delhi, citing rising interest from enterprises, investors, and policymakers.
Key Developments at Deeptech Confluence 2026
The event spotlighted 12 innovative startups drawn from Nasscom's Deeptech Club and its 20-week growth programme, DTC Accelerate. The programme is specifically designed to help deeptech ventures move past the pilot stage and achieve scalable enterprise deployments. Discussions at the Confluence covered market access, enterprise adoption, investment readiness, pilot-to-scale transitions, and cross-sector collaboration.
What Nasscom Said
Sangeeta Gupta, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Nasscom, said agriculture and water are two sectors where deeptech can deliver significant economic, environmental, and social impact. 'India has a strong base of founders building solutions that combine AI, IoT, biotech, materials science, sensing, automation and climate technologies,' she said. Gupta added that through the Deeptech Confluence, Nasscom is 'enabling stronger market access, enterprise engagement and implementation pathways for deeptech startups.'
Why the Sector Faces a Scaling Challenge
India's agriculture and water sectors are under mounting pressure from climate change, resource constraints, sustainability concerns, and the demand for resilient productivity systems. While innovation in agritech and watertech has gathered pace in recent years, many startups continue to struggle with scaling solutions beyond the proof-of-concept phase. Nasscom said the Confluence was designed to bridge this gap by connecting innovators with enterprises, government agencies, investors, and implementation partners capable of supporting real-world deployment.
The Technology Stack Driving Change
Innovations being showcased combine artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), biotechnology, materials science, sensing, automation, and climate technologies. This convergence is increasingly attracting enterprise interest, particularly as large corporates and public-sector bodies seek scalable solutions to address food security and water scarcity challenges at a national level.
What Comes Next
The Nasscom Deeptech Club's DTC Accelerate programme is expected to continue supporting successive cohorts of agri and water startups, with a focus on enterprise tie-ups and government implementation pathways. The broader trajectory suggests India's deeptech ecosystem is at an inflection point — the challenge now is converting pilot-stage momentum into measurable commercial scale.
Point of View
Yet 12 startups in a showcase is a modest number against the scale of India's agricultural and water challenges. The more important signal is whether enterprise and government buyers follow through with procurement, not just participation at events. Momentum at a conference is not the same as contracts in the field.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nasscom Deeptech Confluence 2026?
It is an industry event organised by Nasscom in New Delhi on 12 June 2026 to connect agri and water deeptech startups with enterprises, investors, and government agencies. The event focused on helping startups move from pilot projects to large-scale commercial deployments.
What is the DTC Accelerate programme?
DTC Accelerate is a 20-week growth programme run by the Nasscom Deeptech Club, designed to help deeptech startups achieve scalable enterprise deployments. Twelve startups from the programme were showcased at the Deeptech Confluence 2026.
Why are agri and water deeptech startups struggling to scale?
Many startups in the agri and water sectors face difficulties moving beyond the pilot stage due to challenges in market access, enterprise adoption, and securing implementation partners. Nasscom said the Confluence was specifically designed to bridge this gap.
What technologies are being used by these startups?
The startups are combining artificial intelligence, IoT, biotechnology, materials science, sensing, automation, and climate technologies to build solutions for agriculture and water management challenges in India.
Who are the key stakeholders involved?
The ecosystem involves deeptech startups, large enterprises, institutional investors, government agencies, and implementation partners. Nasscom is playing a facilitating role through its Deeptech Club and the DTC Accelerate programme.
