IIIT Hyderabad Launches Avishkar Venture Studio Summer Cohort 2026; Five Startups Selected
Hyderabad, July 31 (TNT): The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H), has launched the Avishkar Venture Studio Summer Cohort 2026, a research-led venture-building programme aimed at supporting deep-tech startups.
The programme attracted over 110 applications from startups across the country, the Institute said in a release here on Friday.
Following a multi-stage screening process, 20 startups from sectors including DeepTech, MedTech, Mobility and MediaTech were shortlisted to pitch before a panel of IIIT Hyderabad faculty members, investors, entrepreneurs and industry experts.
Based on innovation, market potential, scalability, execution capability and founder strength, five startups were selected for the Summer Cohort 2026.
The selected startups are Comply Ark Solution Pvt Ltd, which is developing an AI-enabled Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) compliance platform; L2 Aero, building an AI-powered subsurface detection platform for defence and infrastructure; Mimansa Play, developing an AI-based speech development platform for children; SentraAuth Technologies, working on an AI-powered continuous authentication platform using behavioural biometrics; and Stylique AI Pvt Ltd (Yoko Styles), which is building an AI-powered fashion design platform that converts ideas into production-ready sewing patterns.
During the six-month programme, the startups will work closely with IIIT Hyderabad’s research faculty, mentors and industry experts to strengthen their technologies, develop minimum viable products (MVPs), validate market opportunities and prepare for commercialisation.
The founders will also gain access to CIE’s mentor and investor network and become eligible for seed funding of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Ramesh Loganathan, Chief Operating Officer of CIE, IIIT Hyderabad, said the Avishkar Venture Studio was designed to help founders transform research-driven technologies into scalable businesses through mentoring, product development support and investor engagement.
He said the initiative seeks to accelerate the journey from innovation to commercialisation by enabling startups to build robust MVPs, validate markets and prepare for fundraising.
The launch of the Summer Cohort 2026 marks another step in CIE’s efforts to promote research-led entrepreneurship and strengthen India’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem by supporting globally competitive technology ventures.
TNT TS
