NXP India has just opened registrations for Season 6 of the NXP India Tech Startup Challenge, a high-impact global deep-tech initiative designed to empower visionary startups and accelerate breakthrough technologies around the world. This newest edition of the startup challenge — co-organized with Startup India Hub and strategic ecosystem partners — aims to boost innovation in AI, semiconductors, IoT, machine learning and other frontier technologies while providing founders with powerful mentorship, resources and international exposure.
The challenge continues the legacy of previous seasons by fostering deep-tech entrepreneurship not just in India but across the global startup landscape. Startups working on cutting-edge solutions — from functional safety and ultra-wideband connectivity to advanced edge computing, embedded systems and next-gen wireless technologies — are invited to apply. Registrations opened on 17 February 2026 and will remain open through 20 March 2026, with the grand finale scheduled for 28 May 2026.
A key highlight of Season 6 is the focus on helping startups transition from prototype to product-market fit by offering structured support across multiple facets of deep-tech development. The top 10 selected startups will receive equity-free incubation and access to state-of-the-art labs through partner institutions such as Electropreneur Park, the Semiconductor Fabless Acceleration Lab (SFAL), FabCi at IIT Hyderabad, and INCeNSE at IISc Bengaluru. These institutions will provide advanced infrastructure, prototyping facilities, technical guidance and business mentoring to accelerate innovation.
Beyond incubation, the challenge also features an exclusive mentorship component. The top three winners will split a prize pool of INR 10 lakhs, and each will benefit from three months of personalized mentorship sessions with NXP India’s technical leadership team — a rare opportunity for early-stage founders to gain insight from seasoned industry experts.
One of the most exciting additions to this season is the “Excellence in Applied AI” award, supported by the Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC), a renowned U.S.-based nonprofit. The recipient of this special award will earn an invitation to showcase their solution at XTC’s flagship global AI conference in California in November 2026, offering unprecedented international visibility and networking opportunities for the winning team.
NXP’s focus on bringing deep-tech innovation to the forefront reflects broader trends in the global tech ecosystem, where startups often face significant hurdles in accessing expensive lab infrastructure, investor networks and industry-grade mentorship. By addressing these challenges head-on, the Season 6 Tech Startup Challenge is lowering barriers to entry and enabling founders to transform bold ideas into real-world solutions.
The program is open to startups registered as private limited companies with at least 51 percent ownership in India, and it encourages applications from teams developing solutions across a broad range of technologies including AI, 5G, IoT, edge computing, functional safety, Wi-Fi 6 and beyond. This inclusivity reflects the global scope of the initiative and its intent to connect local talent with international markets and collaborators.
Leaders behind the initiative, including Lars Reger, Executive Vice President and CTO at NXP Semiconductors, and Hitesh Garg, Vice President and India Managing Director, have emphasized the Challenge’s mission to create a vibrant ecosystem where innovation is not only nurtured but actively scaled. They envision a future where startups — equipped with powerful technical support, global platforms and strategic guidance — can compete on the world stage and drive transformative impact across industries.
As applications pour in, Season 6 is set to become one of the most significant deep-tech startup programs globally in 2026, connecting ambitious founders to the resources they need to push the boundaries of innovation while contributing to a rapidly evolving global tech landscape.
