– Social Incubator focused on startups using technology for social impact
– AIC IIITH funded by Niti Ayog
– Social Incubator is the latest addition to IIITH’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
HYDERABAD, India, July 22, 2019 – IIIT Hyderabad is a pioneer in creating a strong startup ecosystem in Hyderabad. The institute added another feather in its cap with a very timely addition to its repertoire of startup support programs. IIIT Hyderabad in partnership with Surge Impact Foundation and support from Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Govt. of India has established the AIC-IIITH Foundation, a new incubator focused on startups leveraging technology to create social impact.
By virtue of being located within the IIIT-Hyderabad campus, AIC-IIITH is uniquely positioned to leverage the institute’s innovation and startup ecosystem. Organized as a set of research centers, IIITH is widely regarded as a leading institution for computer science research in the country. Applied research is a major focus for the institute, with an active initiative around research-led innovation through its Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). CIE runs one of the largest academic startup incubation endeavours in India started in 2008 with initial funding from DST and MeitY. In 2018, IIITH started the MedTech BioNest with support from BIRAC. CIE also has a thrust on seeding new startups based on research through the Product Labs of the institute.
Speaking on the AIC-IIITH Incubation Program, Prof P J Narayanan said, “IIITH is happy to partner with Atal Incubation Centre in this program as it is in keeping with the institute’s credo of encouraging research and education that makes a difference. Through this program, tech-based social enterprises can make significant impacts for the betterment of society.”
AIC-IIITH is inviting applications for the first cohort of its AIC-IIITH Incubation Program aimed at supporting for-profit social enterprises that have developed a prototype of their tech-based product and/or solution. Social enterprises solving social or environmental challenges in India and helping the country move towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can apply to AIC-IIITH’s six-month incubation program.
The program will provide selected startups with services like business coaching, networking and mentoring, lab access and investor connects. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend boot camps, including workshops, mentor and expert chats as well as peer learning sessions. Selected start-ups will be given an opportunity to apply for seed funding as well.
Social entrepreneur and CEO of AIC-IIITH Foundation Rajkumar Janagam envisions AIC-IIITH to catalyse SDGs using technology and to become a thought leader in the space of technology for social impact.
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