AIC T-Hub Sustainability Program

Igniting Sustainable Innovation for a Greener Tomorrow

About the Program

The AIC T-Hub Sustainability Accelerator – Cohort 4 is a 15-week hybrid program designed to support startups with a ready PoC or beyond, developing high-impact sustainability solutions. The program focuses on sectors including Climate Tech, Ocean Tech, AgriTech, Renewable Energy, Circular Economy, Sustainable Manufacturing, Green Infrastructure, and more.

The program offers a unique blend of expert mentorship, hands-on workshops, market access, funding opportunities, and post-program support, helping founders navigate real-world challenges in deploying sustainability tech at scale.

Hosted by AIC T-Hub Foundation, supported by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, and powered by T-Hub – the world’s largest home for startups, this cohort is curated to help mission-driven founders promote their growth in terms of scaling their solutions into the market.

Program Benefits

Customized Milestone-Based Growth Plan

  • Each startup receives a personalized roadmap that is aligned with its product, market, and funding goals.

Weekly 1:1 Mentorship Sessions
 

  • Dedicated expert support to resolve real-time product, GTM, or scale-up challenges.

Technical and Business Workshops

Learn directly from global experts on carbon tech, green finance, policy, and ESG and more.

Customized Milestone-Based Growth Plan

Each startup receives a personalized roadmap that is aligned with its product, market, and funding goals.

Weekly 1:1 Mentorship Sessions
 

  • Dedicated expert support to resolve real-time product, GTM, or scale-up challenges.

Technical and Business Workshops

Learn directly from global experts on carbon tech, green finance, policy, and ESG and more.

GTM & Customer Acquisition Strategy

Get actionable guidance to refine your business model, value proposition, pricing and more.

Pilot / Customer Access with Corporates, Government & International Expansion

Access curated opportunities to deploy solutions post validation.

Investor Readiness & Fundraising Support

Pitch deck reviews, valuation sessions, and  connections to CSR, angel, and VC funds.

Regulatory & Certification Support

 Navigate environmental compliance, clean tech certifications, and approvals with ease.

Access to Grants & Incentives

Apply for relevant state, national, and international sustainability grants, schemes and funds

Curated Demo Day with Corporates and Investors

Present your solution to a curated audience of VCs, angels, partners, and policy makers, corporates.

Post-Program Scaling & Ecosystem Support

Continued access and support to mentors, pilot introductions, and value partners.

GTM & Customer Acquisition Strategy

Get actionable guidance to refine your business model, value proposition, pricing and more.

Pilot / Customer Access with Corporates, Government & International Expansion

Access curated opportunities to deploy solutions post validation.

Investor Readiness & Fundraising Support

  • Pitch deck reviews, valuation sessions, and  connections to CSR, angel, and VC funds.

Regulatory & Certification Support

 Navigate environmental compliance, clean tech certifications, and approvals with ease.

  •  

Access to Grants & Incentives

Apply for relevant state, national, and international sustainability grants, schemes and funds

Curated Demo Day with Corporates and Investors

Present your solution to a curated audience of VCs, angels, partners, and policy makers, corporates.

Post-Program Scaling & Ecosystem Support

Continued access and support to mentors, pilot introductions, and value partners.

Program Benefits

Customized Milestone-Based Growth Plan

  •  Each startup receives a personalized roadmap that is aligned with its product, market, and funding goals.

Weekly 1:1 Mentorship Sessions
 

  • Dedicated expert support to resolve real-time product, GTM, or scale-up challenges.

Workshops on Climate & Circular Innovation

 Learn directly from global experts on carbon tech, green finance, policy, and ESG.

GTM & Customer Acquisition Strategy

Get actionable guidance to refine your business model, value proposition, and pricing.

Pilot Facilitation with Corporates & Government

 Access curated opportunities to deploy and validate your solution in live environments.

Investor Readiness & Fundraising Support

  •  Pitch deck reviews, valuation sessions, and warm connections to CSR, angel, and VC funds.

Regulatory & Certification Support

  •  Navigate environmental compliance, clean tech certifications, and approvals with ease.
  •  

Access to Climate Grants & Incentives

  •  Apply for relevant national sustainability schemes, NIDHI PRAYAS, and AMRUT 2.0 with guidance.

Post-Program Scaling Support

Continued access to mentors, pilot introductions, and visibility..

Demo Day with Government & Impact Funders

  •  Present your solution to a curated audience of funders, partners, and policy influencers.
  •  

Focus Areas

Climate & Clean Energy Technologies

  • » Climate Tech Platforms
  • » Renewable Energy (Solar, Thermal, Biofuels)
  • » Energy Efficiency and Storage
  • » Carbon Capture & Utilization

Ocean Tech

  • » Ocean data and marine conservation
  • » Coastal resilience and aquaculture systems

Water & Agri-Tech Systems

  • » Waste & Water Management
  • » Sustainable Agriculture 

Green Infrastructure & Built Environment

  • » Green Building Technologies
  • » Smart Cities & Construction Sustainability

Circular & Green Manufacturing

  • » Circular Economy models/Waste Management
  • » Sustainable Packaging and Industrial Sustainability

Sustainable Agriculture

  • » Green Building Technologies
  • » Smart Cities & Construction Sustainability 

Circular & Green Manufacturing

  • » Circular Economy models/Waste Management
  • » Sustainable Packaging and Industrial Sustainability

Ocean Tech

Water & Agri-Tech Systems

Mentors

Bianca Dönicke               

Global Climate Tech Strategist

Sanjay Vidyarthi             

ESG Policy Advisor & Technologist

Rajagopala Vasudevan  

Father of Plastic Roads, India

Dr. Sandip Chattopadhyay

Consultant for Green Energy Initiatives

     Kishore Borra             

EnergyTech Managing Director

Program Structure

Startup Analysis (Weeks 1–2)

Sessions (Weeks 3–12)

Deliver (Weeks 13–15)

Eligibility Criteria

If your startup aligns with these criteria, seize this opportunity to accelerate your growth and access industry expertise, resources, and market opportunities.

Program Fees and Time commitment

Program Timeline

Mid-July
Call for Applications
1st Week - Aug
Startup Screening
1st Week - Sept
Program Launch
3rd Week - Dec
Program Demo Day

Impact Numbers

58

Startups
 

₹80.59 Cr

Investment
 

₹8.54 Cr

Grants
 

310 +

Pilots Facilitated
 

18

Patents / IP Generated

Testimonials

“ T-Hub is one of the best incubation think tanks and the largest ecosystem of various kinds of startups working to create an impact in the world. We felt many updates and positive changes in our business after beginning to receive mentorship from T-Hub. AIC Sustainability Program considered startups working on creating a positive environmental impact while working on reducing the carbon and plastic footprint with various kinds of innovations. We feel that every startup working on the aspect of waste management, reusability, alternate materials, or any other approach for a positive environmental impact must join this program for sure. We, as a team at Himalayan Hemp wholeheartedly thank T-Hub and AIC Sustainable Program team and mentors for doing their work courageously and bringing positive changes in the world.”

“I think the program has a unique community of entrepreneurs and a great ecosystem supporting great infrastructure in the sustainability space. As a result of the connections that AIC-THub facilitates, startups are able to achieve their goals more quickly.”

“Jivoule Biofuels startup based out of Hyderabad is humbled to be selected for the AIC Sustainability program of T- Hub. The program is designed very well to suit the requirements of Startups and Founders. Jivoule Biofuels benefited immensely from the mentoring sessions on impactful topics that were curated basis on the recommendation of startups. The network connections are another huge value proposition of the program coming from T-Hub, Cohort members, and the vast experience of the program management professionals as they were entrepreneurs earlier. As part of the program, we even pitched to the UK delegation to explore synergies and mutual investment opportunities. Lastly and most importantly the Government and Market connections they gave for Jivoule Biofuels is so important for the journey of our startup to meet our vision and mission. As a founder, I am indebted to the T-Hub AIC Sustainability program and to all who supported me in my journey. Thank you very much.”

“T-Hub AIC sustainability –A Cohort program under Atal innovation mission scheme, to facilitate and create an eco-system for start-ups focused on sustainability and environmental social responsibility. Onelement Energy being a part of this ecosystem gained exposure in the market and support from the Govt. of Telangana to address alternative clean energy generation and energy storage. It was definitely a milestone for Onelement that allowed us to have a broader perspective and access to the Industry. We would like to thank T-Hub for making us a part of their visionary community and will continue to be, and contribute in the best of our capacity.”

“Varsha and you have been really supportive and helpful but as a Virtual incubator De’Dzines couldn’t get enough of market access and I am still looking forward to do any one pilot project in B2B space.”

Climate Tech

Renewable, Solar, Thermal, & Bio Fuels Energies

Circular Economies

Energy Efficiency Technologies

Carbon Capture & Storage

Water Management Solutions

Green Building Technologies

Industrial Sustainability

Sustainable Agri Tech

Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Sustainable Block Chain & Supply Chain

Aquaponics, Hydroponics, & Aeroponics Technologies

Mentors & Teams

Bianca Dönicke

Head of Sustainability EMEA at Aliaxis

Sai Bhaskar Reddy

Director

Satyendra Vaidya

ESG Reporting

Sameer Joshi

Vice Chairman @ IPI

Mr. Varun Sai

Associate

Founder Talks

FAQs

The program fee is INR 50,000 + GST.

No, we do not ask for equity stakes in the startups.

  • Strong Founding Team
  • Relevant background experience
  • Founders with complementary skills
  • Strong advisory team
  • Should be actively looking to grow, participate, and engage with the program team

● Strong Founding Team:
● Relevant Background Experience
● Founders with complimentary skills
● Strong Advisory team
● Should be operating in India
● Should have the MVP ready and validated
● Startup should be in product commercialization stage
● Should be actively looking to grow, actively participate and engage with
the team

Startups will receive comprehensive support, including access to mentors, domain experts, industry connections, and advanced research facilities.

The onboarding materials will specify the program duration, typically several months, to ensure thorough development and growth.

Startups will have access to networking opportunities with sustainability leaders, government agencies, corporate partners, and fellow entrepreneurs through T-Hub events and conferences.

While we do not provide direct funding, we connect startups with a network of investors, HNIs, and banks and provide information on government grants, funds, and incentives.

You will have access to a diverse pool of mentors, including industry experts, successful startup founders, and seasoned entrepreneurs who will guide you through your growth journey.

Regular check-ins, progress reviews, and milestone tracking will be conducted to ensure startups are on track to meet their goals.

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