AmpliNxt launches 100-day accelerator for AECO startups

AmpliNxt Foundation has launched NEXACON 100, a market-readiness accelerator for startups in the architecture, engineering, construction and operations sector. The programme will support 10 startups over 100 days.

The inaugural cohort includes Shegruh, PredictTec AI, Real Horizons, SafetyCloudAI, Prancevia, Propenize, SITEPACE.ai, Cobotiks, Vividobots and BUILDINREALITY. The initiative is aimed at startups looking to move from pilot projects to broader commercial deployment.

The foundation is backed by SoftTech Engineers, a technology company focused on digital systems for the built environment and infrastructure sectors. The new cohort will focus on execution, market alignment and investment readiness for companies working across construction technology, infrastructure, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

Deployment gap

The launch reflects a broader issue in the AECO market: startups can secure proof-of-concept projects but often struggle to turn those trials into repeatable business. NEXACON 100 is designed to address that gap by linking founders with industry, government and investors.

Backers and participants at the launch included investment firms Ankur Capital, Kalpataru, Y Point, MU Ventures and Indian Angel Network. Dr. Shrikant Patil, Chief Executive Officer of Maharashtra State Innovation Society, Government of Maharashtra, attended as a special guest.

SoftTech Engineers has spent more than three decades developing digital tools for the architecture, engineering and construction ecosystem. Its software is used for planning, approvals and project monitoring by governments and infrastructure organisations.

That history gives the foundation access to one of the more complex parts of the startup market, where sales cycles are often long and adoption depends on trust, compliance and integration with existing workflows. Construction and infrastructure customers also tend to require evidence that a product can work beyond a limited pilot before committing to wider deployment.

Vijay Gupta, Founder and CEO of SoftTech Engineers and Director at AmpliNxt Foundation, said the sector presents particular hurdles for younger companies. "The AEC sector remains complex and deeply trust-driven. Startups need patience, strong ecosystem understanding, and a focus on solving real on-ground challenges. With AI shaping the future, bridging the gap between innovation and execution is more critical than ever," Gupta said.

Investor interest

The programme comes as investors continue to seek applied uses of AI and digital tools in traditional industries such as construction and urban infrastructure. Interest in software for planning, asset management, site safety, automation and sustainability has grown, but founders still face difficulty turning that interest into lasting contracts.

Dr. Patil said India's startup environment was entering a period of broader opportunity, supported by public funding mechanisms and infrastructure expansion in large and mid-sized cities. He said those conditions could help startups scale faster and build solutions with practical uses.

NASSCOM also backed the emphasis on commercial readiness. Madhav Bhisa, Program Director at NASSCOM, highlighted the importance of structured support in helping startups move from product development to market adoption, particularly as AI tools are applied across multiple industries.

Jay Dhadhal, an investor involved in the launch, said execution and clarity of market fit remained the main tests of startup success. He added that programmes focused on market readiness can help founders build businesses more likely to attract funding and scale.

Sector focus

NEXACON 100 is targeting startups in construction technology, proptech, artificial intelligence, digital twins and sustainability. These areas have become central to efforts by developers, contractors and public bodies to improve project oversight, reduce delays and manage assets with better data.

AmpliNxt describes itself as a dedicated incubator for the AECO market in India. Founded by Gupta, it focuses on connecting startups with mentors, industry networks and programmes tailored to the built environment sector.

Varsharani Bhagatpatil, Head of the foundation, said success in the market is no longer measured by pilots and proofs of concept alone. "The shift today is clear success is no longer defined by pilots, but by what scales on the ground. In AECO, innovation has often remained confined to PoCs with limited adoption pathways. NEXACON 100 is designed to enable startups that are ready for market integration and connect them with the right industry, government, and capital ecosystem to drive real impact," Bhagatpatil said.