The Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI) at IIT Madras is set to launch AI Studio, a venture-building platform aimed at turning research in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science into scalable companies.
The AI Studio will help researchers and founders take research concepts from the idea stage to viable businesses and eventually spin them out into the IIT Madras Incubation Cell ecosystem.
Seed funding and research support
Selected ventures will receive seed funding, cloud and compute credits, access to research laboratories, mentoring and support for establishing product-market fit.
The programme will also provide an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and structured entrepreneurship support, giving founders a defined pathway from research and product development to formal venture creation and further funding.
Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, IIT Madras, Head, Prof. Balaraman Ravindran, said, “At the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, our mission has always been to move AI from the lab to the real world. The AI Venture Studio takes that mission a decisive step further — not just publishing research, but building the companies that carry it into people’s lives.”
“With the depth of our research and the strength of the IIT Madras ecosystem behind each venture, we are uniquely placed to do this at scale,” he added.
Six-month venture development programme
Founders selected for the AI Studio will have access to WSAI’s research laboratories, data and research resources, along with mentoring from faculty members and domain experts.
They will also undergo structured entrepreneurship training and receive support aimed at helping them develop products, validate markets and prepare for subsequent institutional funding.
AI Studio, WSAI, IIT Madras CEO Roopa Karemungikar said, “We are at a rare moment where AI, world-class research, and India’s ambition are converging. The AI Venture Studio is how we turn that moment into companies that matter — built on defensible research, solving real problems for real markets.”
“I’m honoured to lead it, and excited to help India’s next generation of deep-tech founders turn their ideas into reality,” she added.
The Studio will run a six-month venture development and evaluation programme for admitted ventures. The programme can be extended by up to three months for ventures that are progressing towards an institutional funding round.
Two cohorts will be conducted every year, with applications opening during winter and spring cycles.
Open to researchers and external founders
The AI Studio will be open to IIT Madras and WSAI researchers, academic founders from other institutions, as well as external entrepreneurs working on AI, ML or data science ventures and ideas.
Applicants will go through a two-stage selection process. The first stage will comprise an initial training programme and bootcamp open to a wider pool of applicants. A smaller group of selected ventures will then move into the full Studio programme.
The call for applications for the inaugural cohort will be launched on October 3, 2026.
Prof. Satya Seshadri, Head, School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, IIT Madras, said, “Led by the Department of Data Science and AI, with the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the AI Venture Studio marks IIT-M’s pioneering step into active venture building. Selected teams gain expert mentoring, technology, resources, and customer access to help founders thrive.”
Building on IIT Madras deep-tech ecosystem
The AI Studio expands IIT Madras’ broader focus on deep-tech entrepreneurship by creating a dedicated pathway for commercialising research in AI and data science.
The institute’s deep-tech incubation ecosystem has supported the incubation of hundreds of startups that have collectively reached a valuation of $8 billion and generated more than 11,000 direct jobs.
With AI Studio, IIT Madras is seeking to further connect its research capabilities with entrepreneurs, customers and capital, creating a structured route for research-driven AI ventures to move from laboratories to the market.