CENTRE FOR INNOVATION
AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AT IIIT HYDERABAD
Fostering DeepTech Innovation
Cover story
The exclusive fireside chat with Narayanan (Nari) Gopala, Chief Digital Officer @ Mayo Clinic , brought together founders, entrepreneurs and innovators for an engaging conversation on the future of healthcare.The conversation explored how scientists can be encouraged to prioritise entrepreneurship and turn research into solutions that create real-world impact. The discussion also touched on the evolving role of AI in healthcare and the need to look beyond the hype to identify where it can create genuine value. It questioned whether AI has so far demonstrated meaningful impact beyond automation and concerns around job losses.
Another strong theme was the shift of healthcare from hospitals to homes, with more care potentially being delivered closer to the patient. However, making this possible requires navigating complex processes, infrastructure, and supply chains. The fireside chat ultimately highlighted the importance of building healthcare innovations that are patient-centric, practical, and capable of creating meaningful impact.
Happenings
T-Health Cafe
The recent T-Health Cafe featured an insightful session with Devanand Kolothodi, who shared his personal journey of transitioning from a traditional business background into the dynamic and highly regulated field of med-tech.
A key theme of the discussion was the traditional medical industry’s natural hesitation toward adopting new technologies. Participants explored the unique challenges founders face when introducing innovative, disruptive solutions to an inherently cautious and risk-averse sector.
CIE X eChai
The eChai AI Builders Meetup – Hyderabad Edition successfully convened a dynamic and rapidly growing community of AI founders, technical builders, and passionate tech enthusiasts. The meetup served as a ground for networking and exchange of cutting-edge ideas.
By fostering this uniquely collaborative ecosystem, the event empowered local innovators to share their current projects, brainstorm solutions to technical bottlenecks, and ultimately collaborate on building what’s next in the ever-evolving world of AI.
Global Delegation Visits
CIE hosted two international delegations to strengthen global startup and innovation connections. Representatives from KölnBusiness (the Economic Development Agency of Cologne, Germany) visited to explore collaboration opportunities between Indian and German startup ecosystems and build entrepreneurship programs for students. CIE also engaged with a delegation from Buckinghamshire New University to discuss ways students can gain hands-on experience in the startup ecosystem.
Founders' Round Table
The August edition of Founders’ Round Table was about navigating the balance between “Founder Instinct vs. Customer Feedback.”
Participants openly acknowledged that finding the sweet spot between trusting one’s own intuition and adapting to what users explicitly ask for is rarely a straightforward path.
These experiences sparked an incredible discussion on when to pivot based on user data and when to stay the course with unwavering conviction.
Strategy Days
Strategy Days hands-on sessions were led by Prof. Ravi, who worked closely with the five promising startups exclusively selected for the current Avishkar Venture Studios cohort.
Over the course of the two days, these founders dove into core business frameworks, go-to-market strategies, and scalability planning. The startups emerged from the sessions equipped with a much more robust roadmap to navigate their entrepreneurial journeys.
Research Cafe
This month’s Research Cafe fostered a vibrant environment where emerging startups and visionary founders came together to critically examine and validate their core problem statements and proposed solutions.
This interactive session provided a platform for early-stage founders to test their ideas backed by expert guidance from IIIT, participants received feedback and actionable insights. This mentorship was helpful for founders to refine their methodologies.
CSR Times Award for Greentech
AIC’s Akash EPAM India Social Impact Innovation Program has been recognized at the 13th National CSR & ESG Summit and Awards 2026 organized by CSR Times. The program supports GreenTech Startups.
The program was awarded honors under the Environment Sustainability category for this flagship initiative implemented by AIC-IIITH. The program provides high-potential startups with critical mentorship, acceleration support, and seed grants to drive sustainable change across India.
Sales Workshop
AIC’s 2-day sales workshop, “From Prospect to Close” helped GreenTech and SocialTech founders step out of their product zone. Instead of just focusing on their products, they learned how to truly understand what buyers want, ask the right questions, and handle rejections.
A huge thank you to Subramanian Chandramouli for delivering a masterclass packed with frameworks and actionable strategies. Participating cohorts included the 5th Akash EPAM India Program, 1st Akash Coherent Corp. Program, and 5th Akash Acceleration Program.
Social Impact Mixer
The 12th Hyderabad Social Impact Mixer in partnership with the Hyderabad Management Association was all about stepping out of the boardroom and into real, meaningful conversations.
There were spontaneous ideas, genuine connections, and unfiltered discussions driving collective action for sustainable change. A big thank you to the Government leaders, CSR Executives, Investors and Incubators who joined AIC.
Spotlight
IIITH Alumni Startup : ProLearn Raises ₹30 Crore to Build the Future of AI-Powered Learning
IIIT Hyderabad alumnus Ravneet Singh is taking personalised learning a step further with his startup ProLearn, which has raised ₹30 crore in pre-seed funding, led by BEENEXT. The startup is building an AI-native learning platform for K–12 students, with a focus on making learning more personalised, interactive, and responsive to each student’s needs.
For the IIIT Hyderabad community, ProLearn’s journey is another example of how alumni are turning technology and innovative ideas into solutions with the potential to create meaningful impact. We are proud to see our alumni building what’s next.
CIE Portfolio Startup Vyli Health wins at ELEVATE Nxt 2026
CIE IIIT Hyderabad proudly celebrates another milestone as its portfolio startup, Vyli Health has been selected as a winner of the prestigious ELEVATE Nxt 2026 program by the Department of IT & BT, Government of Karnataka.
Selected from a nationwide pool of 983 applications, Vyli Health stands among an elite group of 33 DeepTech startups receiving substantial grant-in-aid support ranging from ₹85 Lakh up to ₹1 Crore to accelerate core R&D and product development.
CIE Alumni Startup: Adalat AI Makes History with Y Combinator Backing
CIE alumni Utkarsh Saxena and Arghya Bhattacharya are taking a major step forward with their startup Adalat AI, which has successfully secured backing from Y Combinator (YC F26). The startup is focused on building innovative technology designed to make the justice system more accessible, timely, and efficient for everyone. For the CIE community, Adalat AI’s journey is a proud moment and a remarkable milestone. Not only are they one of the first Indian-founded nonprofits in history to be backed by YC, but they are also already making a massive real-world impact by serving over 6,000 courtrooms across 11 states.
Angirus® IND Featured on National Television
GreenTech startup Angirus® IND, founded by Kunjpreet Arora and Lokesh Puri Goswami, was recently spotlighted on national television by DD News and ANI Bharat on the program NextGenBharat.
A startup from the 2nd Akash EPAM India Social Impact Innovation Program (ESIIP) GreenTech cohort, Angirus is revolutionizing the construction industry by transforming plastic and construction and demolition (C&D) waste into high-performance eco-bricks and sustainable building materials.
MuddleArt Wins CITI Textile Sustainability Award
GreenTech startup MuddleArt and Sanjay Chauhan have proudly won the CITI-Reverse Resources Textile Waste Handlers Award. This honor was presented during the CITI Textile Sustainability Awards, organized by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI). As a graduate of the Akash EPAM India Social Impact Innovation Program, MuddleArt is being recognized for its powerful mission. The startup is dedicated to transforming massive amounts of textile waste from a heavy environmental liability into a valuable economic opportunity, all while creating dignified livelihoods and driving sustainable change within the industry.
Call For Applications
CV LabsCV Labs is an intensive 2-week co-creation workshop for startups building computer vision solutions for industrial manufacturing. Participants will work directly with IIIT Hyderabad faculty and researchers to prototype their technology. The program also offers a chance to secure up to ₹7 Lakhs in prototype grant support.
RootnodeRootNode is a comprehensive 3-month research advisory program designed for early-stage startups. Founders collaborate directly with IIIT Hyderabad faculty to validate their technology and refine their products. The program provides access to cutting-edge research insights, expert mentors, and valuable peer-to-peer learning within the IIITH innovation ecosystem.
Founder InstituteThis intensive 11-week, in-person program is designed to help founders understand the FI Core journey, gain valuable insights from experienced mentors, and transform early-stage ideas into global businesses. The program runs from September 18 to November 27, 2026.
Elecrama 2027Electraverse is a flagship startup showcase hosted by IEEMA for innovators building solutions in electrical, electronics, and new energies. Participants will present their ideas to over 300,000 stakeholders at ELECRAMA 2027, Asia's largest energy expo. The program offers access to industry mentors, pilot opportunities, and a chance to secure a share of the ₹65 Lakh prize pool.
In News
TM2Space CEO Demonstrates CubeSat to PM Modi
It is a proud moment for IIIT space tech startup TM2Space, as their CEO, Ronak Kumar Samantray, interacted with PM Narendra Modi and demonstrated their CubeSat model! On National Space Day, TM2Space was chosen as one of 20 space startups to meet with the Prime Minister. During the interaction, PM Modi encouraged the startup leaders to explore wider applications of space technology to improve everyday people’s lives.
Amgen Scholars Program expands to India at IIIT Hyderabad
For the first time in India, IIIT Hyderabad hosted the famous Amgen Scholars Program. Ten top undergraduate students from across Asia were chosen from over 700 applicants. During the two-month summer program, these students worked with IIIT Hyderabad faculty on exciting research using artificial intelligence to solve problems in healthcare and biology. Supported by the Amgen Foundation, this program helps train future scientists to solve real-world challenges.
Our Blogs
Bridging the Gap in Indian Healthcare: Insights from T-Health Cafe
IIIT Hyderabad alumnus Ravneet Singh is taking personalised learning a step further with his startup ProLearn, which has raised ₹30 crore in pre-seed funding, led by BEENEXT. The startup is building an AI-native learning platform for K–12 students, with a focus on making learning more personalised, interactive, and responsive to each student’s needs.
For the IIIT Hyderabad community, ProLearn’s journey is another example of how alumni are turning technology and innovative ideas into solutions with the potential to create meaningful impact. We are proud to see our alumni building what’s next.
Research Round Table 5th Edition – Language Agents Beyond Words
IIIT Hyderabad alumnus Ravneet Singh is taking personalised learning a step further with his startup ProLearn, which has raised ₹30 crore in pre-seed funding, led by BEENEXT. The startup is building an AI-native learning platform for K–12 students, with a focus on making learning more personalised, interactive, and responsive to each student’s needs.
For the IIIT Hyderabad community, ProLearn’s journey is another example of how alumni are turning technology and innovative ideas into solutions with the potential to create meaningful impact. We are proud to see our alumni building what’s next.
Our
Impact
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15cr+
Invested in startups
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40+
Startup Research engagement
CIE at IIIT Hyderabad is a technology incubator with rich experience in seeding, nurturing, and growing deep-tech startups in emerging segments like med-tech, tech4social, visual informatics, data engineering, and machine learning, language technologies, gaming, and robotics. CIE IIITH, with a research-led innovation as its primary mandate, focuses on amplifying technology through research collaboration and co-creation models for startups to work with research groups at IIITH.
Under the CIE umbrella, there are 3 active incubators: the Deeptech incubator (Avishkar), the Medtech incubator (Ojas) & the Social incubator (AIC). CIE also includes enabling labs such as a well-equipped Maker Lab, a Medical Electronics Calibration Lab, and a AR/VR lab. IIIT Hyderabad also includes Product Labs to seed new products from research — a pre-incubation program to seed startups from research.
In the past 15 years we have grown to be the largest academic incubator in the country, have housed over 450+ startups that have raised about 250+Cr funding, and created over 2500+ jobs. Today there are very active programs focused on emerging technology startups, research-based startups, medical technologies, and social technology startups.
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