C-DOT Launches 'Samarth' Incubation Program to Empower Telecom & ICT Startups
- C-DOT launched ‘Samarth’ to support telecom and ICT startups.
- 18 startups selected for Cohort-I with funding and lab access.
- STPI and TiE are program partners; MoU signed for future collaboration.
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), an autonomous R&D institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has officially launched the ‘Samarth’ Incubation Program a pioneering initiative designed to empower startups in the Telecom and ICT sectors. The program aims to foster innovation, nurture cutting-edge technologies, and accelerate the commercialization of novel solutions in India’s telecom ecosystem.
In its inaugural phase, 18 promising startups have been selected as part of Cohort-I through a rigorous, competitive selection process. These startups will benefit from a wide array of support mechanisms, including financial grants, access to advanced lab infrastructure, expert mentorship, and furnished office spaces at C-DOT’s campuses in New Delhi and Bengaluru.
To formally inaugurate the program, C-DOT hosted a mentoring-cum-acceleration session at its Delhi campus. The session brought together senior dignitaries, mentors, industry leaders, and venture capitalists to engage with the first cohort of startups. Present at the event were Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT; Shri Arvind Kumar, Director General, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI); and Mr. Atul Dhawan, President, TiE (Delhi-NCR Chapter), alongside mentors and representatives from partnering organizations.
The ‘Samarth’ program has been developed in partnership with STPI and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) as its key implementation collaborators. Structured in two cohorts of six months each, the initiative will support up to 36 startups over its course. The program has a strong focus on domains including 5G/6G technologies, telecom applications, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and IoT.
Each selected startup receives a grant of up to Rs 5 lakh, fully equipped office space for six months, access to C-DOT’s state-of-the-art laboratories, and tailored mentorship from both in-house technologists and external experts. Furthermore, high-performing startups will be considered for further funding and partnership opportunities under the C-DOT Collaborative Research Program (CCRP).
Turtleneck Systems & Solutions, Matisoft Cyber Security Labs, Revino Solutions, Ajayan Consulting, Vital Carbon, Atibha R&D, Alphappleton Innovations, Agriverse Innovations, Haranzel Technologies, Threat Expert Cyber Solutions, Brahmi Systems, Paravani Business Solutions, Purvanchal Engineering Systems, Aaizel International Technologies, Brenin Technologies, Jumps Automation LLP, Master Education, and Farsight Innovations.
The selection process was overseen by a distinguished committee comprising experts from academia, industry, C-DOT, and STPI. The evaluation criteria included innovation, relevance to industry problems, product potential, execution capability, and team strength.
During the launch session, each startup was presented with the first tranche of the funding. The event also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between C-DOT and STPI, outlining future collaborative efforts in areas like training, mentorship, and joint innovation initiatives.
Speaking at the event, both Dr. Upadhyay and Shri Kumar commended the synergy between C-DOT and STPI in nurturing India’s telecom startup ecosystem. They urged the startups to actively leverage the support being offered and contribute to building scalable, indigenous technologies that can transform the sector.
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