Accel and Prosus Unveil Six Pioneering Startups in India’s Inaugural ‘Off-the-Map’ Cohort
In a groundbreaking initiative, venture capital giants Accel and Prosus have unveiled six innovative startups selected for their inaugural joint cohort in India. Dubbed the ‘off-the-map’ cohort, this program focuses on ventures tackling complex challenges in sectors where traditional markets are undefined, and progress metrics are elusive.
A New Paradigm in Startup Investment
Announced in October 2025, the collaboration between Accel and Prosus aims to support startups that deviate from conventional industry norms. Rather than gravitating towards easily fundable ventures, the program seeks to empower companies addressing systemic challenges with long development timelines and uncertain commercial pathways. This strategic shift underscores a commitment to fostering innovation in areas that have historically been overlooked due to their complexity and risk.
The Selection Process
From a competitive pool of over 2,000 applications, six startups emerged as the inaugural cohort. These companies span diverse sectors, including healthcare, climate technology, space exploration, and longevity, reflecting a deliberate focus on science-driven themes. The selection criteria emphasized the potential for significant societal impact and the ability to pioneer new markets.
Meet the Trailblazers
1. Praan: Based in Mumbai, Praan is revolutionizing indoor air quality through advanced air infrastructure systems. Their technology integrates purification, sensing, and automated controls to create healthier indoor environments. Prior to joining the cohort, Praan secured funding from notable investors such as Social Impact Capital, Aera VC, and Avaana Capital, alongside strategic investors and family offices.
2. QOSMIC: Operating out of Bengaluru, QOSMIC is at the forefront of developing optical communication systems designed to enhance data transfer between satellites and Earth. Their innovations aim to increase bandwidth and reduce latency in space-based networks, addressing critical challenges in satellite communications.
3. Ethereal Exploration Guild (EtherealX): Also headquartered in Bengaluru, EtherealX is pioneering reusable orbital launch vehicles to make space access more affordable and sustainable. The startup recently raised a $20.5 million Series A round led by TDK Ventures and BIG Capital, valuing the company at $80.5 million.
4. Dognosis: Dognosis is innovating in the healthcare sector by developing a non-invasive method to detect multiple cancers through breath analysis. Their product, BreatheEasy, utilizes dogs’ olfactory capabilities combined with robotics and artificial intelligence to identify cancer-linked markers from patient breath samples.
5. Ferra: Addressing the needs of an aging population, Ferra is creating a home-based strength-training system designed to help individuals maintain mobility as they age. The system intelligently adjusts resistance in real-time to match the user’s performance, promoting effective and safe exercise routines.
6. Stealth Startup: The sixth participant, currently operating in stealth mode, is developing cutting-edge brain-computer interfaces. These interfaces aim to enable direct communication between the human brain and external systems, potentially transforming fields such as neuroprosthetics and human-computer interaction.
Innovative Investment Structure
Accel and Prosus are co-investing in each startup, with Prosus matching Accel’s investment. Initial funding ranges from $500,000 to $2 million per company. To mitigate early dilution for founders, a portion of the capital is deferred, allowing equity to be allocated at a later stage. This investment model is tailored for startups with extended development cycles, providing them with the necessary time and resources to achieve critical technical breakthroughs.
Strategic Vision
Pratik Agarwal, partner at Accel, emphasized the importance of patience and support for these ventures, stating, More than capital, they require time to make those breakthroughs. Ashutosh Sharma, head of India ecosystem at Prosus, highlighted the non-linear progression of these companies, noting that their success hinges on achieving key technical milestones rather than steady growth.
Implications for the Indian Startup Ecosystem
This initiative marks a significant departure from traditional investment strategies in India, signaling a growing appetite for high-risk, high-reward ventures that address complex societal challenges. By backing startups in uncharted territories, Accel and Prosus are not only fostering innovation but also potentially setting the stage for the next generation of industry leaders.
Conclusion
The unveiling of this inaugural ‘off-the-map’ cohort by Accel and Prosus represents a bold step towards redefining the landscape of startup investments in India. By supporting ventures that tackle intricate and undefined markets, this program has the potential to drive significant technological advancements and societal benefits in the years to come.
