Avishkar Venture Studio is a six-month acceleration program specifically designed for emerging technology startups. It is run by the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at IIIT Hyderabad, a premier institution renowned for its deep tech research and academic excellence. CIE IIITH operates as a leading deep tech incubator, dedicated to nurturing startups through advanced technological support, strategic entrepreneurial guidance, and access to a vibrant ecosystem. The center's mission aligns with India's vision for technological leadership, fostering an environment conducive to groundbreaking innovation by leveraging its extensive research and academic framework, including faculty expertise and advanced laboratories. The program plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and market-ready solutions, empowering founders to build scalable deep tech ventures.
The program offers significant seed funding, providing an opportunity to secure up to 40 Lakhs INR. This capital is crucial for early-stage deep tech startups, which often require substantial resources for R&D and product development. The precise funding amount is determined after a comprehensive evaluation of the startup's current development stage, the strength and clarity of its pitch deck, and the technical validation of its underlying technology. This financial support is primarily intended to fuel the startup's immediate growth, facilitate key operational expenditures, and enable critical prototyping and market entry activities.
Beyond monetary aid, Avishkar participants benefit immensely from extensive mentorship. This mentorship is provided by distinguished professors from IIIT Hyderabad, who bring deep academic and technical insights, and by experienced mentors, each boasting over a decade of entrepreneurial support experience. Startups gain invaluable access to IIIT Hyderabad's cutting-edge prototyping and research laboratories, which are equipped with advanced tools essential for deep tech innovation. The program also includes essential cloud credits, crucial for development and scaling, and offers numerous opportunities for network building through various organized events, connecting founders with investors, industry experts, and potential customers.