The SWACH accelerator was conceived by the India Sanitation Coalition at FICCI along with its partners Innovation Mission Punjab and IIT Ropar. It proposes to establish a dedicated platform where private sector sponsors can engage and provide support to entrepreneurs / startups / businesses seeking to drive innovation within this sector. It seeks to ensure a consistent flow of diverse innovations, including technology and process-driven solutions, accessible to stakeholders across society. Entrepreneurs supporting the Swachh Bharat Mission will be encouraged to provide innovative solutions addressing challenges around Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) including solid and liquid waste management, water supply & conservation, and hygiene.

The accelerator will have 3 pillars that will work closely together. The first, IMPunjab, is an accelerator supporting early-stage startups (from prototype and beyond), offering mentoring and business support to prepare them for commercialization. The second pillar, IIT Ropar, offers technical assistance to aid startups in scaling their operations. The third pillar, ISC, acts as an enabler, recognizing and validating the efforts of startups and entrepreneurs in the WASH sector, providing them with essential impetus.

The objectives of this accelerator are: 

• To address the Water and Sanitation challenges facing the country, our goal is to establish a sustainable ecosystem. This can be achieved by leveraging appropriate technological innovations tailored to the Indian context, which can be efficiently managed and scaled by rural communities and urban civil societies alike.
• To increase private sector participation in the WASH sector by strengthening the public- private dialogue and encouraging innovators to experiment with innovations with unwavering government and private sector support.
• To focus on bringing technology innovations to the manual processes in the WASH sector, by creating an all-inclusive ecosystem across the value chain of waste processing and water management.
• Position the accelerator as the medium through which investors and corporates working in the WASH sector can engage with startups, and with research organizations.
• To work with various government organizations to implement solutions developed by startups and focusing on expediting the adoption.

Focus areas/Categories

The focus will be on including the overall value chain of WASH (including waste management) i.e., Build/Use/Maintain/Treat/Reuse to implement circularity across this sector. This accelerator will give preference to climate-resilient start-ups working in the WASH sector. The focus areas/categories of the accelerator are:

Roles of stakeholder/partner

1. India Sanitation Coalition: As a champion of WASH, ISC will provide techno- managerial support to all the stakeholders, whenever required. It will serve as a vital connecting link between various stakeholders. Additionally, it will assist in corporate outreach, helping them invest in startups, oversee the entire process, and collaborate effectively with the Accelerator partner (Innovation Mission Punjab), the Government, and ULBs to achieve the collective goals. 
2. Innovation Mission Punjab (IMPunjab): A collaborative effort between the Punjab Government and the private sector, aims to synergize capital, policy, tech, and community for the startup ecosystem. As a catalyst organization, IMPunjab supports startups at various stages across diverse sectors by enhancing capabilities through workshops and programs, providing pilot opportunities, and facilitating market access to drive growth. IMPunjab has engaged with over 1,900 startups, 23,000+ students, has a network of 100+ investors, and has raised ~Rs16.2 Cr in funds and grants. It boasts powerful backing from leaders like Mr. Pramod Bhasin, Mr. Saurabh Srivastava, Dr. Ajay Shah, and many more.
3. IIT Ropar Technology and Innovation Foundation: The Indian Institute of Technology Ropar's TIF-AWaDH, is a pioneering force in Agricultural and Water Technology Development. With substantial funding from various sources like DST, NMICPS, etc. AWaDH serves as a hub for deep-tech research and startups, focusing on Agriculture, Water & loT to promote sustainable agricultural practices. As a technical partner to the SWACH Accelerator they will be providing the startups with Testing and Development Facilities, Lab Access, Patent Facilitation, and Enabling Commercial Research.

SWACH Accelerator Process

The program officially launched in April 2024, inviting applications from startups and entrepreneurs. To raise awareness and encourage participation, outreach events and roadshows were conducted in Delhi/NCR on May 2 and 3, 2024. Following this, the applications received underwent a screening process to shortlist the most promising innovations. Following the screening, a jury meeting was conducted to finalize the candidates selected to embark on their acceleration journey.

In July 2024, the first cohort was launched, marking the beginning of an intensive acceleration journey. The selected startups of the cohort are:

 

The acceleration process comprised a series of structured contact sessions designed to equip startups with critical business skills. The first session in June 2024 focused on developing impactful business models. The second session, held in July 2024, addressed financial modelling with a social impact perspective. In August 2024, the third contact session provided insights into the fundraising and impact investment landscape, preparing startups to navigate funding opportunities. A pitch readiness workshop in September 2024 ensured that participants refined their presentations and business strategies for investor engagement. Industry mentors, brought in from across India for the contact sessions, played a pivotal role in guiding the startups through the different stages of the accelerator, ensuring they were well-prepared for growth and scalability.

A key milestone of the program was the Demo Day, which was held on 14 th February 2025 at FICCI Federation House, Delhi, where startups presented their innovations to investors and stakeholders. Additionally, selected startups will receive continuous mentorship and handholding support for fundraising. Through this structured approach, the SWACH Accelerator strengthens the WASH sector and drive impactful, scalable innovations.