AVISHKAR VENTURE STUDIO
6-month accelerator for Indian deeptech startups with MVP, offering up to ₹40L seed funding.
- Funding amount
- ₹40L (grant)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), IIIT Hyderabad (Academic)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Avishkar Venture Studio is a six-month acceleration program run by the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at IIIT Hyderabad. CIE IIITH is a dedicated deep tech incubator that leverages the academic and research strengths of IIIT Hyderabad to support emerging technology startups. The program aims to help ventures that have moved beyond ideation and have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with some customer validation.
Startups accepted into the program can receive seed funding of up to ₹40 lakhs. The exact amount is determined based on the startup's development stage, the quality of its pitch deck, and the validation of its technology. In addition to financial support, the program provides technological assistance, mentoring from IIITH professors and resident mentors (many with over a decade of entrepreneurial guidance experience), and access to advanced prototyping and research labs. Networking opportunities and cloud credits are also offered to help startups scale their operations and development efforts.
Highlights
- Up to ₹40 lakhs in milestone-based seed funding.
- Six-month acceleration program with mentoring from IIITH experts.
- Access to advanced prototyping and research labs.
- Focus on deeptech startups in AI, AR/VR, Robotics, ML, Computer Vision, NLP, etc.
- Requires a registered Indian company with a full-time founder and an MVP with customer validation.
Who can apply
To apply for the Avishkar Venture Studio, startups must meet the following criteria: the startup must be registered in India; it must have at least one full-time founder; it should have a basic Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and some level of customer validation; and its core technology must be rooted in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Robotics, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Deep Tech, or Natural Language Processing (NLP). The program focuses on deeptech ventures that leverage advanced scientific and engineering breakthroughs.
AVISHKAR VENTURE STUDIO is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
AVISHKAR VENTURE STUDIO accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.
What the funding covers
Selected startups receive up to ₹40 lakhs in seed funding, disbursed on a milestone basis. The program also provides technological assistance, tailored mentoring from IIITH professors and resident mentors, access to advanced prototyping and research labs, extensive networking opportunities, and essential cloud credits to support development and operations.
About the provider
AVISHKAR VENTURE STUDIO is offered by Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), IIIT Hyderabad, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), IIIT Hyderabad as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
The selection process begins with submitting an online application via Google Forms. Applications are then screened thoroughly by the CIE IIITH team. Shortlisted applicants are invited for an in-person pitching session at the IIIT-H campus, where they present their venture to a panel of experts including IIITH professors, mentors, and industry veterans. The panel evaluates the startup's technical innovation, market potential, team capabilities, and alignment with program objectives. Selected startups are notified within approximately one week after the pitching session.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to AVISHKAR VENTURE STUDIO, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Who this is best for
AVISHKAR VENTURE STUDIO is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹40L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum funding amount under Avishkar Venture Studio?
The program offers seed funding of up to ₹40 lakhs. The exact amount depends on the startup's development stage, pitch deck quality, and technology validation.
Is there an application deadline for the program?
The application deadline is not specified. It is best to check the CIE IIITH website or contact them directly for the latest cohort schedule.
What types of startups are eligible to apply?
Startups must be registered in India, have at least one full-time founder, have an MVP with customer validation, and work in deeptech areas such as AI, AR/VR, Robotics, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Deep Tech, or NLP.
Does the program require DPIIT or MSME registration?
The eligibility criteria do not mention DPIIT or MSME registration. However, the startup must be registered in India.
Does Avishkar Venture Studio take equity in exchange for funding?
The program offers a grant, not equity funding. Since it is a grant, no equity is taken from the startup.
What documents are needed to apply?
The online application requires information about the team, technology, business model, market opportunity, and existing progress, including details of the MVP and customer validation. Specific documents are not listed, but a pitch deck and supporting materials may be required.
How can I apply for the program?
Submit an online application via the Google Forms link provided on the CIE IIITH website. Shortlisted applicants are invited for an in-person pitch at IIIT-H.
How long does the program last and how many cohorts are there?
The Avishkar Venture Studio is a 6-month program, with new cohorts conducted twice a year. Exact start dates are announced by CIE IIITH.
Who can I contact for more information?
You can email your queries to cieoutreach@iiit.ac.in.
Who offers AVISHKAR VENTURE STUDIO?
AVISHKAR VENTURE STUDIO is offered by Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), IIIT Hyderabad, an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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