Ideabaaz, a startup discovery and entrepreneurship platform, has acquired a stake in KickSky Space Lab, marking the country's maiden venture capital-backed space-tech accelerator partnership. According to reports from Business Standard, the development took place during VivaTech 2026, Europe's largest startup and technology event held in Paris, France. The partnership aims to identify, support and scale homegrown deep-tech and space-tech companies by connecting founders with specialised networks, investors and global growth opportunities. As reported by the companies in a joint statement, the partnership is specifically designed to address the gap that many promising Indian ventures face in accessing specialized ecosystems, strategic partnerships, global customers and growth capital.
Through the collaboration, founders from the Ideabaaz ecosystem will gain access to KickSky's specialised networks across space-tech and frontier technologies, including industry experts, research institutions, venture investors, corporates and international partners. As reported by Business Standard, KickSky Space Lab startups will benefit from Ideabaaz's national reach, gaining broader visibility and access to investors. The companies stated that India's deep-tech ecosystem is experiencing rapid growth across space-tech, aerospace, artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing, climate technologies and defence innovation, but many promising ventures continue to struggle with access to specialised ecosystems and strategic partnerships. The partnership is designed to help founders build technologies in India and scale them internationally.
KickSky Space Lab was co-founded by Riceberg Ventures, E2MC Ventures and Aniara Space to accelerate the country's emergence as a global leader in space-tech and frontier technologies. According to Business Standard, over two cohorts, the accelerator has built a strong track record of connecting early-stage founders with investors, industry partners, government stakeholders and international opportunities. The accelerator focuses on helping founders bridge the gap between scientific innovation and commercial success.
Speaking on the announcement, Ankit Anand emphasized that for India to become a global deep-tech powerhouse, the country needs more than capital - it requires ecosystems that help founders bridge the gap between scientific innovation and commercial success. As reported by Business Standard, Mudit Kumar added that India has no shortage of talent or breakthrough ideas, but what many founders need is access to the right ecosystem, visibility and opportunities at the right time. The partnership ensures that exceptional deep-tech founders from every corner of India can access the networks and resources needed to compete globally. Anand noted that together with Ideabaaz, they can help founders build technologies in India and scale them internationally.
