- Applications opens soon
About TomorrowLAB Accelerator Programme
TomorrowLAB Accelerator Programme is a cutting-edge accelerator Programme launched by Tata Steel, IIT Bhubaneswar Research and Entrepreneurship Park (IIT BBS REP), and India Accelerator (IA). It focuses on identifying and supporting emerging startups that are developing innovative solutions for critical industrial and environmental challenges. Areas of interest include sensors, robotics and automation, improved water management methodologies, and efficient waste heat recovery.
TomorrowLAB Accelerator Programme provides expert guidance, facilitates access to funding, and connects participants with influential industry leaders. Its primary objective is to enable these innovative companies to rigorously test their technologies and prepare them for successful implementation in various industrial settings.
TomorrowLAB Accelerator Programme aims to create new solutions led by startups that address important business challenges for metal and mining industries. By empowering Indian entrepreneurs and providing access to research infrastructure and mentorship, TomorrowLAB Accelerator Programme contributes directly to the Make in India initiative. The programme strengthens the country’s capability to design, develop, and scale indigenous technologies, reducing reliance on imports, promoting sustainability, and enabling India to become a global hub for industrial innovation and advanced manufacturing solutions.
Programme Benefits
The TomorrowLAB Accelerator Programme offers startups:
Access to research labs, technical infrastructure and testing facilities.
Opportunities for collaborative R&D and technology validation.
Access to technical resources, feedback and product development support.
Potential for co-development or commercial collaboration.
Access to mentors, investors, and subject matter experts.
Business model refinement, pitch preparation, and market access support.
Dates to Remember
Application Window Opens
November 1, 2025
Application Deadline
November 30, 2025
Cohort kickstarts
January 2026
Accelerator Duration
6 months
Programme Focus Areas
Water Management
Innovating processes for effective water resource management.
Sensors, Robotics and Automation
Enhancing operations through intelligent automation and robotic systems.
Waste Heat Recovery
Creating technologies to capture and reuse energy for improved operational efficiency.
1
Stage of Startup
- Early-stage startups having a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or demonstrating early market traction
2
Legal Status
- Must be a Pvt. ltd. company registered entity in India
- Not older than 10 years, turnover not exceeding ₹100 crore
Sector Focus
3
- Startups should align with TomorrowLAB Accelerator Programme’s focus areas: Sensors, Robotics & Automation, Water Management and Waste Heat Recovery
Mentors
Dr. Arijit Biswas
Principal Scientist, Process Research, R&D
Tata Steel, Jamshedpur
Dr. Pratik Swarup Dash
Chief, Sustainability Research Group
Tata Steel, Jamshedpur
Mr Balamurugan Srinivasagan
Head, Non-Destructive Testing and Sensors Research Group in R&D
Tata Steel, Jamshedpur
Dr. Yogesh G. Bhumkar
Assoc. Prof.
IIT Bhubaneswar
Shri. Amarendra Sahu
Co-Founder
Nestaway
Dr. Debi Prosad Dogra
Head of Department
CSE
Deepak Sharma
Co-founder
India Accelerator
Prof. Rajesh Roshan Dash
Dean
IIT BBS
Dr. Venugopal Arumuru
Associate Professor
IIT BBS
Munish Bhatia
Co-founder
India Accelerator
Arindam Mukhopadhyay
Partner & Head of corporate Innovation
India Accelerator
Nikhil Suthar
Head of Strategic Investment
India Accelerator
Dr. Soobhankar Pati
CEO
IIT Bhubaneswar Research & Entrepreneurship Park
Expected outcome for Startups
Alignment of startup's solution with actual industry pain points, improving their business model and technical capabilities.
Sizable market opportunity.
Opportunity to collaborate on a paid pilot project with Tata Steel
(T&Cs Apply)
Access to strategic mentorship from industry leaders.
About Partners
About Tata Steel
Tata Steel, with an annual crude steel capacity of over 35 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), is one of the world’s most geographically diversified steel producers, with a significant presence across five continents and a wide range of steel products It is headquartered in India, part of the larger Tata Group. Founded in 1907, Tata Steel is known for its integrated operations, from mining to marketing of its finished products, and for its commitment to corporate citizenship and business ethics
About IIT Bhubaneswar Research and Entrepreneurship Park
About India Accelerator
India Accelerator (IA) a leading fund-led accelerator, investing in early-stage tech startups through its SEBI-registered Cat-1 & 2 AIFs and in relatively late-stage startups through Finvolve which has its own Cat-1 and GIFT Fund, It was recognized as ‘Best Startup Accelerator in the Country’ by DPIIT / Startup India in 2021.
IA works with innovative startups across various sectors, including impact, GenAI and deep-tech, helping them scale rapidly through access to funding, a strong network of mentors and industry leaders, and bespoke guidance on product development and market expansion.
FAQs
TomorrowLAB Accelerator Programme is a joint initiative by Tata Steel, IIT Bhubaneswar Research and Entrepreneurship Park (IIT BBS REP), and India Accelerator (IA). It supports startups developing innovative solutions for the metals and mining sector, focusing on Sensors, Robotics & Automation, Water Treatment, and Waste Heat Recovery. The Programme provides mentorship, industry access, pilot opportunities, and investor connects to help startups scale their solutions.
Early-stage and growth-stage startups with a working prototype or MVP, registered in India, and working on solutions relevant to the metals and mining sector can apply
Startups completing TomorrowLAB Accelerator Programme will have the opportunity to:
- Access IA’s broader accelerator network for funding, mentorship, and global connects
- Run pilots or scale commercial engagements with Tata Steel (T&Cs Apply)
- Showcase solutions at Demo Day to a curated audience of investors, corporates, and industry leaders.
Yes, selected startups may get the opportunity to design and execute pilot projects with Tata Steel, subject to alignment of the startup’s solution with Tata Steel’s specific business challenges and feasibility.
The pilot project would take place after the end of the Accelerator Programme.
The programme typically runs in hybrid mode for 4 months, including workshops, mentorship. Sessions would be delivered in an online format, but startups should be available for key in-person engagement, including demo day and pilot discussions. (if any)
No. Only those startups which haven’t participated in any technical discussion with Tata Steel are eligible for participation.
Yes. Tata Steel, at its sole and independent discretion, may decide to facilitate and fund pilot opportunities for any of the participating startups in the cohort based on the solution presented. The ownership, usage, licensing and any other commercial rights related to the Intellectual property created during pilot engagement shall be governed by a separate mutual agreement to be executed exclusively between Tata Steel and the selected startup concerned
Startups successfully graduate from TomorrowLAB Accelerator Programme by actively participating in all sessions, mentorship engagements, and programme milestones culminating with a demoday. Graduating startups receive a certificate of completion, enhanced visibility, and opportunities for long-term collaboration with Tata Steel, IIT Bhubaneswar, and India Accelerator.
Startups outside the current focus areas may not be eligible for this cohort, but you can share your details with Tata Steel on the e-mail ID- innoventure@tatasteel.com to explore relevant opportunities with Tata Steel.
Please share your queries over mail on – innoventure@tatasteel.com with subject : TAP_Query_<Focus Area> .
Startups onboarded shall allot 2% equity and pay a 2% success fee on the total fund raise, to be applicable upon signing a funding term sheet with any investor(s) through the TomorrowLab Accelerator programme.
Contact
Have any other queries ? Reach out through the contact form or mail to the e-mail IDs shared.
info@tomorrowlabaccelerator.com
innoventure@tatasteel.com