A: AgeTech-Bharat is India's first accelerator focused exclusively on elderly care technology (AgeTech). We support 3-5 startups per 6-month program with capital (₹10L-₹35L), mentorship (15+ mentors), investor access (70+ investors), workspace, and access to our unique fabricated smart homes for testing products with real elderly users.
A: Founders building technology for elderly care: fall detection, health monitoring, cognitive health, nutrition, mobility, smart housing, wellness, telemedicine, medication management, etc. We're looking for ambitious teams with validated problem-solution fit (or clear path to it), scalable technology, and commitment to serve 200M+ Indian seniors.
A: No. We support hardware, software, and combinations. Smart wearables, mobile apps, cloud platforms, IoT, AI/ML - all welcome. Even software-only startups can benefit from our smart homes by running user testing with elderly subjects.
A: ₹10 Lakhs guaranteed on Day 1 (SAFE). Plus optional ₹25L SAFE when you raise Series A or major funding. Total potential: ₹35L if you raise external funding.
A: No. ₹10L is guaranteed to all selected startups, regardless of progress. ₹25L SAFE is conditional on you raising external funding (Series A, major seed, etc.). Optional to accept.
A: SAFE = Simple Agreement for Future Equity. Not a loan. No interest. No payback. Just a contract that says: if you raise Series A, this converts to equity at a 20% discount. If no Series A in 5 years, SAFE expires (nothing owed).
A: Industry standard (YC also takes 7%). Fair price for 6 months of mentorship, capital, investor introductions, workspace, and testing facilities. Non-negotiable.
A: No. It's our standard. But you get 7% + up to ₹35L investment + mentorship + global investors + smart homes. Compare value vs. other accelerators.
A: Real apartments at AMTZ with 5-10 elderly residents (60+). You test your product there for 6 months. Get real user feedback. Behavioral data. Video testimonials. It's like having your own user testing lab with actual elderly people.
A: No. Optional. But highly recommended if you're building elderly care tech. Software-only startups can do remote testing. Hardware/wearable startups almost always benefit from smart home testing.
A: Free. Included in program benefits.
A: Yes. You can start with younger testers for basic validation. But eventually test with elderly (that's the whole point). Real elderly feedback is what changes products.
A: That's valuable data. Shows your product is too complex. You'll redesign to be simpler. Better to learn in safe testing than in market.
A: Not currently. We facilitate video pitches instead (Month 4-5). You pitch to 40-50 interested investors via Zoom, 2-3 calls per week. This is actually better - more intimate conversations, global reach, no travel. As we scale, we may add in-person events.
A: Yes! Our Program Director makes warm introductions to Silicon Valley angels and VCs. You pitch via Zoom. About 20-30 US investors per startup. Some write checks. Others become advisors. All valuable.
A: Yes. AMTZ network gives you access to 30-50+ India-based angels and investors. Some meetings in-person (at AMTZ), some virtual. You'll meet both US and India investors.
A: 30-40% of startups raise seed funding (₹25L-₹1Cr) during or within 6 months of program. Others build traction and raise later. No guarantees, but our mentorship + investor introductions dramatically improve odds.
A: 6 months. Month 1-3: Build & validate. Month 4-5: Pitch to investors. Month 6: Launch & graduate. Fixed timeline (not flexible).
A: ~10-15 hours per week minimum (check-ins, workshops, mentor meetings). Most founders spend 40+ hours/week on product. You need to be fully committed.
A: No. This is a full-time program. Focus entirely on your AgeTech product.
A: Not ideal. The program is designed as 6-month cohort. Talk to us if there are genuine emergencies.
A: Yes. For medical devices/regulated products, we provide guidance on CDSCO, SaMD, clinical validation. Expert introductions. You pay for consulting, clinical trials, gov fees.
A: No regulatory support needed (unless it's SaMD - diagnostic software). Regular apps don't need CDSCO approval.
A: 15-18 months typically. Clinical study (4-6 months) + documentation (2-3 months) + CDSCO review (6-12 months). Starts before you join program, continues after.
A: AMTZ Campus, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Andhra Pradesh's MedTech innovation zone. Credible location for investor meetings.
A: Depends on your product. If using smart homes/hardware: 3-5 days/week. If software-only: Flexible, but attend weekly all-hands meetings.
A: Relocation support varies. We provide office space. You arrange housing (many startups share apartments in Visakhapatnam). Some founders work remote part of the week (software-only primarily).
A: No. Free. Included in program.
A: No, but you need a validated problem. MVP is helpful. Idea stage is risky (we'll ask if problem is real).
A: Harder sell, but possible if you have co-founder in progress or plan to hire. Team strength matters.
A: Yes, if willing to establish India subsidiary and base in India during program. AgeTech market focus is India.
A: Program ends, support doesn't. Continued investor intros. Alumni network. Series A navigation. Board seat discussions (if high investment). You're part of AgeTech-Bharat community.
A: ~15% acceptance rate. 50-100 applications → 5-10 startups selected. We're selective because we commit real capital and mentorship.
A: Rolling review. Apply early for best consideration. Check our website for current cohort deadlines.
A: 2026 cohort. Check our website for exact start date and application deadlines.
A: Visit our Apply page and fill out the comprehensive application form (takes ~45 min). We review all submissions within 7-10 business days.
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