IIT Madras WSAI builds AI studio for research, data science startups; apply from October 3

The Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras will launch an AI Studio, a venture studio aimed at turning research in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and data science into startups.

The initiative will focus on areas including health AI, education AI, responsible AI and Indic language AI, according to an IIT Madras press release. The studio will help researchers and entrepreneurs develop ideas into scalable businesses and eventually spin them out into the IIT Madras Incubation Cell ecosystem.

Selected ventures will receive seed funding, cloud and compute credits, access to research laboratories and data resources, mentoring and product-market-fit support. They will also have access to an entrepreneur-in-residence and structured entrepreneurship training.

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IIT Madras AI Studio: Applications from October 3

The call for applications for the inaugural AI Studio cohort will open on October 3, 2026. The programme will be open to IIT Madras and WSAI researchers, academic founders from other institutions and external entrepreneurs with an AI, ML or data science idea or venture.

Applicants will first participate in an initial training and bootcamp. A smaller group will then be selected for the full studio programme.

The selected ventures will undergo a six-month venture development and evaluation programme. The programme can be extended by up to three months for ventures that are progressing towards an institutional funding round.

The studio plans to conduct two cohorts every year, with applications opening during winter and spring cycles.

AI Studio to focus on research-to-market transition

Balaraman Ravindran, Head, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, IIT Madras, said the initiative aims to take AI research beyond academic publications and into real-world applications.

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.”

AI Studio to build research-driven companies

Roopa Karemungikar, CEO, AI Studio, WSAI, IIT Madras, said the studio will focus on developing companies based on research and addressing market needs.

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.”

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IIT Madras takes step towards venture building

Satya Seshadri, Head, School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, IIT Madras, said the initiative marks the institute's move towards active venture building.

Seshadri added, “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.”

IIT Madras AI Studio to provide path to spin-out

The studio will provide selected founders with access to WSAI research laboratories, data and research resources, faculty and domain experts, besides entrepreneurship training. The programme will also provide a path towards further funding and eventual spin-out.

The launch builds on IIT Madras' existing deep-tech incubation ecosystem. According to the institute, its ecosystem has supported the incubation of hundreds of deep-tech startups, with a combined valuation of $8 billion, and contributed to the creation of more than 11,000 direct jobs.