Research ideas to receive early-stage funding, computing, laboratory and market access

Special focus on healthcare, education, Indian languages and responsible AI

New Delhi, 15 September (H.S.): The direction of Artificial Intelligence in India is now moving beyond research and laboratories towards taking it directly to the market and society. The Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has announced the launch of an AI Studio to build research-based Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science companies.

In this initiative, which is the first of its kind, healthcare AI, education AI, responsible AI and Indian language AI will be prioritised. The objective is not only to develop new technology but also to transform research developed in the institute’s laboratories into companies capable of solving real-world problems and scaling up on a large scale. The AI Studio will provide researchers and founders with comprehensive support to transform their research ideas, from an early stage, into viable and scalable businesses. Selected ventures will be provided with early-stage funding, cloud and computing credits, access to research laboratories, expert guidance, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, and support related to product and market fit.

According to the information received, through this arrangement, a pathway will be created for a research idea from the concept stage to emerging as an independent company from the ecosystem of the IIT Madras Incubation Cell. Following their technological discovery, researchers will be able to access the resources, institutional guidance, entrepreneurship training and potential customers necessary to reach the market, all through a single system.

A New Foundation for AI Across Four Areas

Four areas have been given special importance under the Studio. These include healthcare AI, education AI, responsible AI and Indian language AI. The objective is to develop rapidly advancing Artificial Intelligence technologies at the global level in accordance with India’s social, educational, healthcare and linguistic needs. AI focused on Indian languages holds particular significance. By connecting the country’s linguistic diversity with technological solutions, this area has the potential to expand access to digital and Artificial Intelligence-based services among a large population.

‘The Mission is to Bring AI from the Laboratory into the Real World’

Professor Balaraman Ravindran, Head of the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI at IIT Madras, said, “At the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, our mission has always been to bring AI from the laboratory into the real world. The AI Venture Studio takes this mission a decisive step forward — not just publishing research, but building companies that put it into people’s lives. With our deep research and the strong ecosystem of IIT Madras behind each venture, we are uniquely positioned to do this at scale.”

‘World-Class Research and India’s Ambition Coming Together’

Roopa Karemu ngikar, Chief Executive Officer of the AI Studio at the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, IIT Madras, said, “We are at a rare moment where AI, world-class research and India’s ambitions are coming together. The AI Venture Studio is the vehicle through which we can turn this moment into meaningful companies, grounded in credible research and solving real problems for real markets. I am honoured to lead this and excited to help India’s next generation of deep-tech founders turn their ideas into reality.”

IIT Madras Moves Towards Active Venture Creation

Professor Satya Seshadri, Head of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at IIT Madras, said in this regard, “Led by the Data Science and AI department, and launched in collaboration with the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the AI Venture Studio is IIT Madras’s pioneering step towards active venture creation. Selected teams are provided with expert guidance, technology, resources and access to customers for the success of the founders.”

Founders selected for the Studio will receive guidance from the Wadhwani School’s research laboratories, data and research resources, faculty members and domain experts. Structured entrepreneurship training will also be provided. A defined pathway will be available for further funding and for transitioning from research into an independent company.

Selection in Two Stages, Six-Month Venture Development

The entry process for the AI Studio will take place in two stages. In the first stage, initial training and a bootcamp will be organised, in which a large number of applicants will be able to participate. Following this, a smaller group of selected ventures will be admitted to the full Studio programme.

Applications for the first cohort will be invited from 3 October 2026. Selected ventures will undergo a six-month venture development and evaluation programme. For ventures progressing towards an institutional funding round, this period may be extended by up to three months. The Studio will operate two cohorts each year. Applications for these will open in winter and spring.

New Experiment in an $8 Billion Deep-Tech Ecosystem

The AI Studio is built on IIT Madras’s already developed deep-tech incubation ecosystem. According to the institute, this ecosystem has supported the incubation of hundreds of deep-tech start-ups. These start-ups have a combined valuation of $8 billion and have generated more than 11,000 direct jobs.

Wadhwani School Established in 2024

It is noteworthy that the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, established in 2024, brings together faculty members with expertise across various areas of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Its objective is to work collectively on important problems directly related to society. It is the hub of IIT Madras’s 18th and newest department, the Department of Data Science and AI. It has several affiliated research centres, along with research groups working on various emerging areas. The institute offers a BTech in AI and Data Analytics, an MTech in Data Science and AI, as well as several other programmes for international students.

The next step is now to connect this research capability with venture creation. Through the AI Studio, the initiative has been taken to move beyond keeping laboratory-developed technology confined to research papers and connect it with products, markets, investment and employment.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Mayank Chaturvedi