IIT Madras Launches AI Studio to Turn Research Into Startups

The Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI) at IIT Madras has launched an AI Studio aimed at converting 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 such as health AI, education AI, responsible AI and Indic language AI. Selected ventures in the first cohort will receive seed funding, cloud and computing credits, access to WSAI laboratories and data resources, and mentoring from faculty and domain experts. They will also receive support in developing products and identifying market opportunities.

The programme will include an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and a structured route for promising ventures to seek additional funding and eventually become formal spin-outs within the IIT Madras Incubation Cell ecosystem.

Applications for the inaugural cohort will open on October 3. The selection process will have two stages, beginning with a training programme and bootcamp for a wider applicant pool before a smaller group enters the full studio programme.

Selected teams will participate in a six-month venture development and evaluation programme, with an extension of up to three months possible for ventures approaching an institutional funding round. The studio plans to conduct two cohorts annually, with applications opening during winter and spring cycles.

The initiative is being led by WSAI in collaboration with the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at IIT Madras. The institute said the studio is designed to move AI research beyond academic work and towards practical applications and new companies.

The AI Studio builds on IIT Madras’ existing deep-tech incubation ecosystem, which the institute says has supported hundreds of startups with a combined valuation of around $8 billion and more than 11,000 direct jobs.