NetApp Excellerator boosts AI startups in 14th India cohort
NetApp has concluded its latest accelerator programme, bringing together five deep-tech startups focused on artificial intelligence, data and cloud technologies. The 14th cohort of the NetApp Excellerator included Synthefy, Filo Systems, TrueFoundry, Sentra, and Genloop.ai, all of whom participated in an intensive development process with mentorship from NetApp's technical and business leaders.
Mentorship focus
The participating startups were given the opportunity to refine their solutions and adjust their go-to-market strategies over several months of mentorship. The programme provided access to NetApp's network, technical expertise, and opportunities to engage in proof-of-concept projects with NetApp's customers and partners. This initiative aims to advance the future of enterprise technology and responsible artificial intelligence within India's growing innovation ecosystem.
"Through NetApp Excellerator, we aim to nurture innovation that has real-world impact - supporting startups building the next generation of data and AI infrastructure. Each cohort reinforces our belief that collaboration between startups and established enterprises can accelerate meaningful change," said Vasanthi Ramesh, VP & Engineering Head, NetApp India.
Shaping business models
For many startups, participation in the programme has resulted in tangible benefits. Anuraag Gutgutia, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of TrueFoundry, described the benefits of working with the NetApp team, noting that technical and business support had helped his company evolve and prepare for new markets. He emphasised the importance of the accelerator's guidance and access to business networks.
"NetApp Excellerator has been instrumental in refining our platform which will help us scale our business vision. The mentorship, technical guidance, and access to NetApp's network with real business value delivered, helped us accelerate faster than we imagined while building for global markets with confidence," said Gutgutia.
Track record
Since its launch in 2017, the NetApp Excellerator has supported 90 startups through 14 cohorts. Of these, eight have reached successful exits. The programme's alumni have collectively raised over USD $600 million, according to NetApp. The model is structured to bring early-stage technology companies into closer collaboration with larger enterprises, allowing technical solutions to be tested and evolved in real-world business environments.
The programme has also been recognised as one of the top five accelerator initiatives in India for corporate innovation by the NexTT Awards. NetApp has stated its intention to continue supporting startups looking to achieve scale, sustainability, and impact in global markets.
Industry outlook
The conclusion of the 14th Demo Day highlights the increasing importance of deep-tech and AI-led startups in India's digital infrastructure landscape. With continued support from established technology companies, these early-stage businesses are well-positioned to shape new approaches to digital infrastructure and enterprise solutions, particularly in areas such as responsible AI and large-scale data platforms.
Each completed cohort reinforces the focus on scalable, enterprise-ready solutions that respond to changing global demands and regulatory expectations. The accelerator programme remains a focal point for collaboration between established and emerging technology companies.
