IIT Madras AI Studio is set to create a structured pathway for turning research in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science into new companies. The venture studio is being launched by the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI) at IIT Madras. The studio will provide selected ventures with seed funding, cloud and computing credits, research laboratory access, mentoring, an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and product-market support. The programme will help teams to develop technologies, validate their ideas and prepare for potential funding and commercialisation. The initiative will be open not only to IIT Madras researchers but also to academic founders from other institutions and external entrepreneurs with AI, ML or data science ideas or early-stage ventures. Applications for the inaugural cohort will open on October 3, 2026. The selected ventures will undergo a structured development programme, with a potential pathway towards spin-outs through the IIT Madras Incubation Cell ecosystem. The initiative aims to strengthen the connection between academic research, entrepreneurship and real-world AI applications.
IIT Madras AI Studio to Build AI & Data Science Startups
