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IIT Madras AI Venture Studio 2026

Six-month venture studio co-building AI, machine-learning and data-science startups from ideas and research.

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Funding amount
Seed funding, cloud and compute credits, laboratory access and venture-building support; monetary amount is n/a
Scheme
AI Venture Studio
Open for
The call is open to IIT Madras and WSAI researchers, academic founders from other institutions and external entrepreneurs., The official announcement does not publish a mandatory Indian incorporation, residency or state restriction., The full venture-studio phase may be extended by up to three months for ventures progressing toward institutional funding.
Deadline
Applications close 23 October 2026

About the Program

The AI Venture Studio is a six-month venture-building initiative from the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, SIE and IIT Madras Incubation Cell. It helps founders translate AI, machine-learning and data-science research or ideas into scalable companies.

Eligibility requirements

  • Applicants must have an idea, research project or existing venture involving artificial intelligence, machine learning or data science.
  • Both academic and external founders may apply.
  • Detailed incorporation, team-composition, intellectual-property and technology-readiness conditions are n/a.

Offerings / Benefits

  • Seed funding; the amount and investment terms are n/a.
  • Cloud and compute credits.
  • Access to research laboratories and data resources.
  • Entrepreneur-in-residence support.
  • Technical and commercial mentorship.
  • Product-market-fit and venture-development assistance.
  • Structured entrepreneurship training.
  • Potential progression into the IIT Madras Incubation Cell ecosystem.

Sectors supported

Artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science, including foundational models, manufacturing AI, healthcare AI, education AI, responsible AI and Indic-language AI.AI & Artificial IntelligenceData & Analytics

Selection process

  • A larger group of applicants first participates in training and a bootcamp.
  • A smaller set of ventures is then selected for the full six-month studio.
  • Detailed scoring criteria and cohort size are n/a.

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