IIT Madras Launches AI Studio to Turn Research Into Startups
IIT Madras has launched an AI Studio offering funding, research resources and mentorship to help convert AI research into startups.
The Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI at IIT Madras has launched an AI Studio aimed at turning research in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science into startups. The initiative will work with researchers, academic founders and external entrepreneurs to develop research ideas into viable businesses.
The studio will focus on areas including health AI, education AI, responsible AI and Indic language AI. Selected teams will receive seed funding, cloud and computing credits, access to research labs and data resources, along with mentoring from faculty and industry experts. They will also receive support in identifying product-market fit and guidance through an Entrepreneur-in-Residence.
The inaugural cohort will follow a six-month venture development and evaluation programme, with an extension of up to three months available for ventures moving towards institutional funding. Applications for the first cohort will open on October 3, while the studio plans to conduct two cohorts each year.
The programme is open to IIT Madras and Wadhwani School researchers, academic founders from other institutions and external entrepreneurs working on AI, machine learning or data science ventures. Applicants will first undergo a training programme and bootcamp, followed by selection for the full studio.
The initiative is being led by IIT Madras’ Department of Data Science and AI in collaboration with its School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, creating a structured path from research and early-stage ideas to funding and formal startup spin-outs.
