Avishkar Venture Studio Winter Cohort 2026
By Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), IIIT Hyderabad
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Quick Answer
A 6-month co-creation program by CIE, IIIT-H for deeptech and deep-IP startups at the PoC stage, offering seed funding, research connect, and mentorship.
About this grant
The Avishkar Venture Studio Winter Cohort 2026, spearheaded by the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT-H), is a meticulously designed 6-month co-creation program. It targets early-stage deeptech and deep-IP startups that are at the Proof-of-Concept (PoC) stage. The core objective of the program is to facilitate the transformation of these innovative PoCs into their first market-ready versions, or Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), through collaborative efforts with IIIT-H's cutting-edge research faculty and state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure.
This venture studio model emphasizes a hands-on approach, allowing startups to leverage the academic and technical prowess of IIIT-H. It's tailored for ventures operating within critical emerging technology domains such as AI, computer vision, machine learning, robotics, natural language processing, augmented and virtual reality, speech technology, Indian language translation, large and small language models, signal processing, IoT, and smart cities. Additionally, the program has a strong focus on high-impact sectors including Medtech (medical devices, diagnostics, healthcare IT), Mobility (autonomous driving, road safety, human-machine interface), and Mediatech (AR, VR, AdTech, gaming, entertainment). The studio aims to provide a robust ecosystem where academic research meets entrepreneurial drive, fostering innovation and product development in areas with significant market potential and societal impact. A continuous cycle of innovation is ensured with new cohorts running twice annually.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Provider
Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), IIIT HyderabadHyderabad · Telangana · India
The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is the technology business incubator of IIIT Hyderabad, set up in 2008 and based on the university's campus at Vindhya C4, Gachibowli, Hyderabad. It was recognised as a Technology Business Incubator by the Department of…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹10 Lakhs
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
The Avishkar Venture Studio provides crucial seed funding up to ₹10 lakh to selected deeptech and deep-IP startups. This non-repayable grant is designed to fuel the development of their Proof-of-Concept into a market-ready MVP. Beyond financial support, the program offers unparalleled access to IIIT-H's extensive research faculty and advanced laboratory infrastructure, enabling startups to validate and refine their technological solutions. Participants also benefit from comprehensive support covering business strategy, revenue modeling, and go-to-market planning, essential for commercialization. A network of experienced mentors, advisors, and early-stage investor connects is provided to guide startups through their growth journey and facilitate future fundraising. Additionally, startups receive cloud credits and opportunities to engage in events and networking sessions within the vibrant IIIT-H and broader startup ecosystem, fostering collaboration and visibility.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Duration
- 6 months
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The selection process for the Avishkar Venture Studio is designed to identify the most promising deeptech and deep-IP startups. Following the initial application screening, a select group of applicants will be shortlisted. These shortlisted teams will then be invited to IIIT-H to pitch their ventures to a distinguished panel. This panel typically comprises IIIT-H faculty, industry experts, venture capitalists, and seasoned entrepreneurs. The pitch session allows founders to present their innovation, demonstrate their PoC/MVP, and articulate their business model and growth potential. The panel evaluates the technical feasibility, market viability, team strength, and the potential for co-creation with IIIT-H. Selected startups are generally informed of their acceptance within a week of their pitch, allowing them to prepare for the 6-month program commencement.
Application Process
- 1
Apply Online
Submit your application through the official Google Form, providing details about your startup, team, and technology.
You - 2
- 3
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How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Avishkar Venture Studio?
A: The Avishkar Venture Studio is a 6-month co-creation program by the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at IIIT-H, designed for deeptech and deep-IP startups at the PoC stage. It aims to help them build their first market-ready MVP by leveraging IIIT-H's research and lab facilities.
Q: What kind of funding is offered?
A: The program offers equity-free seed funding of up to ₹10 lakh as a grant to selected startups, intended to support their product development efforts.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for this program?
A: Eligible applicants are Indian-registered startups with a full-time founder, a Proof-of-Concept ready (ideally with a basic MVP and some customer validation), and a focus on emerging deep technologies. A mandatory physical presence in Hyderabad for the duration of the program is required.
Q: What are the key technology and industry focus areas?
A: The program focuses on deeptech domains like AI, ML, Robotics, AR/VR, NLP, IoT, and Signal Processing, with applications in end markets such as Medtech (medical devices, diagnostics), Mobility (autonomous driving, road safety), and Mediatech (AR, VR, gaming, entertainment).
Q: Is physical relocation to Hyderabad mandatory?
A: Yes, it is explicitly stated that a Hyderabad presence is mandatory for all selected startups throughout the 6-month program duration, emphasizing the hands-on co-creation model with IIIT-H.
Q: What kind of support, beyond funding, does the program provide?
A: Besides seed funding, startups gain access to IIIT-H faculty and labs for research, business strategy mentorship, go-to-market planning, connections with advisors and early-stage investors, cloud credits, and extensive networking opportunities within the IIIT-H ecosystem.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
