StartupGrants India
IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE)
Accelerator

IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE)

Centre of Entrepreneurship

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)

Hyderabad, Telangana, IndiaCoworking

A 6-month accelerator in Hyderabad for gaming, animation, VFX, computer vision and AI start-ups, run by STPI with seed funding.

Official website

CoE at a glance

Full nameCentre of Entrepreneurship
Part ofSoftware Technology Parks of India (STPI)
AddressIMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), 14 & 15, Software Units Layout, HITEC City, Madhapur, Hyderabad-500081
Programmes1 standing programme
Stages supportedIdea, Prototype
Official websiteimage.stpi.in
Emailimagecoe@stpi.in

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Programmes they run

Standing programmes at IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE), separate from the funding calls above.

The home page still invites applications for the 7th cohort, but the contest portal marks that contest as ended. The centre's pages also give different seed funding figures, so this page does not state one.

IMAGE CoE 6-month accelerator cohort

Accelerator

A 6-month cohort accelerator for gaming, animation, VFX, computer vision and AI start-ups, with seed funding, office space and mentorship. The 7th cohort is closed.

Best for: Indian start-ups in gaming, animation, VFX, computer vision or AI, registered no more than 10 years ago

  • Idea – Prototype
  • 6 months
  • In person
  • Paid, takes equity
  • Grant support for selected startups

With Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of Telangana, TVAGA, HYSEA, IIIT Hyderabad, TIE Hyderabad, Hyderabad Angels, SucSEED Indovation Fund

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

The 7th cohort is closed to new applications. The centre says it runs cohorts twice a year, so watch for the next call.

What you get

  • Seed funding, with the amount depending on development stage, pitch deck and technology validation.
  • A plug and play office for your team, co-working space, conference rooms and a Preview Theatre.
  • Connections with major venture capital and angel funds, and a demo day to show products to investors.
  • Mentorship from industry experts, in classroom and one-to-one sessions.
  • Legal, IPR and statutory support, and end to end market support.
  • Additional credits from ecosystem partners.

Who can apply

  • Indian start-ups in gaming, animation, VFX, computer vision or AI, registered in India no more than 10 years ago.
  • Product companies. Services firms are not the focus.
  • Individual academics, researchers, educators and entrepreneurs may take part, but a selected team must register as a private limited company within 3 months.

How selection works: three phases, starting with an online contest entry, then screening of ideas and proofs of concept, then a one-to-one pitch to a panel.

How to apply: when a cohort is open, sign up on the centre's online contest portal with your company details. Shortlisted applicants are invited to pitch at the centre in Hyderabad.

Full IMAGE CoE 6-month accelerator cohort guide

Incubation tracks

The routes into IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE), and what each one includes.

TrackTypeSpaceIncludes
Accelerator cohort6-month cohort, run twice a year. Up to 5 seats per start-up are offered at a concessional rate.Acceleration—Seed funding, Plug and play office, Mentorship from industry experts, Demo day

Labs & facilities

Equipment and space on campus.

The motion capture lab is described as in-house on the home page, as upcoming on the contest page, and as free to selected start-ups during the cohort in its question and answer page. Confirm before relying on it.

Plug and play office and co-working space

A plug and play office setup for the start-up's team, with co-working space and conference rooms.

Preview Theatre and imaging studio

A fully equipped Preview Theatre, and an imaging studio with motion capture and photo labs. The contest page lists motion capture studio access as upcoming.

Support services

Help offered alongside funding and space.

Business advisory

Mentorship from industry experts, in classroom and one-to-one sessions.

Market access

End to end market support, and connections to major venture capital and angel funds.

Legal & finance

Legal, IPR and statutory support.

Recognitions & empanelments

Official approvals this incubator holds.

Both entries describe government backing the centre states for itself. They are not a separate registration or recognition.

Flagship initiative of STPI Hyderabad under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

The home page describes the centre as a flagship initiative of STPI, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Government of Telangana.

Backed by the Government of Telangana

The centre lists the Government of Telangana among the bodies behind it.

How to apply to IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE)

Know the cohort window first

  • The 7th cohort contest is marked Contest Ended, so there is no open call to apply to at the time of writing.
  • The centre says it runs cohorts twice a year. Watch its contest portal and home page for the next call.

Choosing this programme

  • Build for gaming, animation, VFX, computer vision or AI products. The centre says it focuses on product companies, not services firms.
  • Confirm your legal form before you apply. The contest page asks for a private limited company, while other pages allow partnerships and LLPs that register within 3 months of selection.
  • Plan for the cost. The programme charges a one-time registration fee and per-seat charges, and up to 5 seats per start-up are offered at a concessional rate.

How applications work

  • Applications go through the centre's online contest portal. Sign up there with your company details.
  • Shortlisted applicants are invited to a pitch session at the centre in Hyderabad, and then pitch to a panel.
  • Selected start-ups sign an incubation cum share subscription and shareholders' agreement. Expect to give up equity.

How selection works

  • Three phases: online contest entry, screening of ideas, proofs of concept and strong solutions, then a one-to-one pitch.
  • The centre's criteria include the product idea and its development stage, the founding team's experience, the business plan and the problem being solved.
  • Fund availability is also part of the assessment, so explain how the cohort's seed funding fits your plan.

What reviewers look for

  • A product idea with a working proof of concept and a clear value proposition.
  • A founding team with relevant experience and a clear management structure.
  • A plan that shows how the business will scale.

About IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE)

IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) is a start-up accelerator for gaming, animation, VFX, computer vision and AI companies in Hyderabad. It is a flagship initiative of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Hyderabad, backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Government of Telangana. Its 7th cohort contest has ended, and the centre says it runs cohorts twice a year.

How the programme works

The accelerator is a cohort programme. The centre says each cohort runs for 6 months. Selection has three phases: an online contest entry, a screening of ideas, proofs of concept and solutions with strong potential, and a one-to-one pitch to a panel. Shortlisted applicants are invited to pitch at the centre in Hyderabad.

Selected start-ups receive seed funding. The centre says the amount depends on the development stage, the pitch deck and technology validation. Selected teams also get connections with major venture capital and angel funds, a demo day to show products to investors, and mentorship from industry experts. The centre provides legal, IPR and statutory support, and ecosystem partners offer additional credits to start-ups in the cohort.

Who can apply

Applicants must be Indian start-ups working in gaming, animation, VFX, or computer vision and AI, and registered in India no more than 10 years ago. The centre says its focus is on product companies rather than services firms. A start-up must not have been formed by splitting up or rebuilding an existing business, and its annual turnover must stay within the limit in the eligibility rules.

Individual academics, researchers, educators and entrepreneurs may also take part. A selected team that is not yet a company must register as a private limited company within 3 months.

Facilities

The centre offers a plug and play office for each team and co-working space. It has conference rooms and a fully equipped Preview Theatre. It also describes an imaging studio with motion capture and photo labs. The contest page lists motion capture studio access as upcoming, so check before you plan work around it.

Who runs it

STPI is an autonomous society that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology set up in 1991. Its objective was to encourage, boost and promote software exports from India. The centre's collaborators include the Telangana VFX, Animation and Gaming Association (TVAGA), HYSEA, IIIT Hyderabad, TIE Hyderabad, Hyderabad Angels and the SucSEED Indovation Fund.

Locations

The centre is at 14 & 15, Software Units Layout, HITEC City, Madhapur, Hyderabad 500081.

Get in touch

Send a message to IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) — we'll forward it on your behalf.

IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), 14 & 15, Software Units Layout, HITEC City, Madhapur, Hyderabad-500081

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Frequently asked questions about IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE)

What is the full form of CoE?

CoE stands for Centre of Entrepreneurship.

What is IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE)?

IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) is an accelerator based in Hyderabad, Telangana.

What does IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) do?

IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) is a start-up accelerator for gaming, animation, VFX, computer vision and AI companies in Hyderabad.

Where is IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) located?

IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) is located at IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), 14 & 15, Software Units Layout, HITEC City, Madhapur, Hyderabad-500081.

What programs does IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) run?

IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) runs IMAGE CoE 6-month accelerator cohort.

Which CoE programme should I apply to?

It depends on how far along your startup is. Idea stage: IMAGE CoE 6-month accelerator cohort. Prototype stage: IMAGE CoE 6-month accelerator cohort. Check the programme's own eligibility before applying — several programmes are sector-specific.

Does IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) provide funding?

Selected startups in some IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) programmes can receive grant support, including IMAGE CoE 6-month accelerator cohort. Grant amounts are set per programme and cohort, and selection into a programme does not guarantee a grant — check the programme's own page for current terms.

What sectors does IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) support?

IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) works with startups in Gaming, Animation, VFX, Computer Vision and AI/ML.

What stage of startup does IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) support?

IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) supports startups at the Validation and Prototype stages.

What facilities does IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) offer?

IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) offers Plug and play office and co-working space and Preview Theatre and imaging studio.

Is IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) government recognised?

IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) holds the following recognitions and affiliations: Flagship initiative of STPI Hyderabad under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Backed by the Government of Telangana.

How do I apply to IMAGE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE)?

- The 7th cohort contest is marked Contest Ended, so there is no open call to apply to at the time of writing. - The centre says it runs cohorts twice a year. Watch its contest portal and home page for the next call. - Build for gaming, animation, VFX, computer vision or AI products. The centre says it focuses on product companies, not services firms. - Confirm your legal form before you apply.