11 Incubators Building India’s Startup Ecosystem

India’s startup ecosystem is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a robust network of government-backed incubators that nurture and support entrepreneurs. These incubators provide invaluable resources such as mentorship, funding opportunities and essential infrastructure, helping founders turn their innovative ideas into viable businesses. 

Here’s a look at 11 prominent government or government-supported incubators that play a crucial role in fostering innovation throughout the country.

1. MeitY Startup Hub

The Indian government’s electronics and information technology ministry, MeitY, oversees initiatives for startups, incubators and centres of excellence (CoEs). For AI founders, the MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) regularly organises national programs such as the AI Innovation Challenge, in collaboration with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), and supports the Digital India GENESIS initiative, which facilitates capacity building, market access and connections within the ecosystem. Participants can expect links to MeitY-NASSCOM CoEs focusing on IoT and AI, as well as STPI CoEs.

2. T-Hub

T-Hub is a public-private partnership involving the Telangana government, academic institutions and the private sector. It has hosted several AI-focused accelerators and showcases, including the ‘India Innovation Hub: AI for Social Good’, in collaboration with Meta. Those interested in generative AI should also explore the Telangana AI Mission (T-AIM) and its Revv Up programmes, which, while separate from T-Hub, are part of the same state ecosystem.

3. State AI Hubs (e.g., Telangana’s MATH CoE / T-AIM) 

Several states are launching AI-first initiatives that connect startups to datasets, pilot programmes and policy pathways. In Telangana, T-AIM promotes AI entrepreneurship through mentoring, pilot projects and connections with enterprises. Treat these initiatives as gateways to public-sector pilots and validation of AI solutions based on demand.

4. NASSCOM 10,000 Startups

NASSCOM 10,000 Startups is a national platform that connects founders with investors, accelerators and co-working spaces while guiding them towards MeitY-NASSCOM CoE-IoT and AI for enterprise validation and use-case development. Selected startups historically gain access to cloud credits and expedited entry into accelerator partnerships.

5. SINE, IIT Bombay

India has one of its earliest academic incubators supported by the science and technology department (DST), showcasing strong deep-tech credentials. AI ventures benefit from their proximity to C-MInDS, IIT Bombay’s AI centre, as well as the growing Wadhwani initiatives on campus, which focus on translation, med-tech and AI-enabled health. This environment is ideal for AI plus hardware, vision and research-intensive projects.

6. Kerala Startup Mission

Kerala’s primary entrepreneurship agency, Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), provides grants, seed support and a statewide Maker/FabLab network. Maker Village in Kochi, supported by MeitY and KSUM, offers prototyping to production services for robotics and edge AI startups. KSUM regularly showcases AI and robotics and collaborates with state bodies on pilot projects.

7. Plugin Alliance

Plugin Alliance is a hardware and IoT alliance founded by Intel India and SINE-IIT Bombay that supports startups in transitioning from prototype to production. It is ideal for edge-AI and embedded vision workloads aimed at optimising on-device inference and connecting with manufacturing partners.

8. IIT Startups

IIT Startups is a 501(c)(3) alumni-led accelerator with a footprint in the US and India. Their cohorts typically feature AI-first startups, including those focused on generative AI infrastructure and tools, as well as applied AI solutions. Our strengths include a robust network of mentors, access to cross-border investors and visibility in Silicon Valley.

9. IIM Lucknow – Enterprise Incubation Centre (IIML-EIC)

Registered as a Section 8 incubator at IIM Lucknow’s Noida campus, it focuses on areas such as AI, big data and industrial IoT. The facilities include an AI/IoT lab and structured incubation support. The centre is backed by national and state bodies and runs multiple themed programs.

10. NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore

NSRCEL is one of India’s leading incubators for tech-enabled social enterprises and women-led ventures. Although not exclusively focused on AI, many of its cohorts feature AI and analytics-driven solutions. NSRCEL offers mentoring, networking, and programmatic support for AI founders seeking to create a positive impact.

11. C-CAMP

In a Department of Biotechnology (DBT) initiative and deep-science incubator, Bugworks, a drug discovery company, was incubated at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) in Bengaluru. Moreover, Qure.ai has been supported through C-CAMP’s digital health programmes. These are positive signals for AI-in-biotech and healthtech founders who need lab access, datasets and regulatory-grade mentorship.

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