India’s startup ecosystem has emerged as one of the most dynamic in the world, fueled by rapid technological advancement and an increasingly supportive policy environment. As the country accelerates its journey toward a digitally driven economy, innovation in telecommunications and information technologies has become a strategic priority.
Recognizing the need to nurture early-stage innovators in these fields, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) launched the Samarth Incubation Program in 2025. Designed specifically to support startups working in telecom and emerging digital technologies, the initiative aims to transform innovative ideas into scalable solutions capable of strengthening India’s technological ecosystem.
The program recently marked another milestone when C-DOT hosted the Demo Day for Cohort-II on 12 March 2026 at the NBCC Convention Centre. During the event, 18 startups presented the technologies they had developed during the six-month incubation period to a distinguished audience of investors, mentors, industry experts, and policymakers.
The showcase offered a glimpse into the future of India’s telecom innovation landscape.
The Meaning Behind “Samarth”
The name “Samarth” is derived from Sanskrit and Hindi, where it signifies capable, empowered, or competent. The philosophy behind the program is rooted in this very idea—equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources, and institutional support needed to succeed in highly competitive technology sectors.
By empowering innovators with funding, mentorship, and access to cutting-edge research infrastructure, the program aims to strengthen India’s technological capabilities while contributing to national goals such as digital transformation and technological self-reliance.
Building a Vision for Telecom Innovation
Launched in March 2025, the Samarth Incubation Program is an initiative of the Centre for Development of Telematics, an autonomous telecom research and development organization under India’s Department of Telecommunications.
Unlike many general startup programs, Samarth is uniquely focused on telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICT)—domains that form the backbone of modern digital economies.
The program operates in two cohorts, each lasting six months and comprising 18 selected startups. Through this structure, a total of 36 startups benefit from the initiative, receiving technical, financial, and strategic guidance as they develop their products.
Startups participating in the program work on solutions in key technological domains such as:
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Telecom applications and infrastructure
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Cybersecurity technologies
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5G and emerging 6G communication systems
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Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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Internet of Things (IoT)
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Quantum technologies
These focus areas align closely with India’s broader strategy to build a resilient and future-ready digital infrastructure.
Creating a Collaborative Ecosystem
To ensure that startups receive comprehensive support, C-DOT partnered with two prominent organizations: the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and TiE.
These implementation partners bring extensive experience in entrepreneurship development, technology commercialization, and startup mentorship. Their involvement enables participating startups to access a powerful network of industry leaders, researchers, and venture mentors.
Through this collaborative ecosystem, entrepreneurs receive not only technical guidance but also valuable insights into market dynamics, product development strategies, and investor engagement.
Comprehensive Support for Emerging Startups
The Samarth Incubation Program offers startups a carefully designed combination of financial assistance, infrastructure support, and strategic mentorship.
Each selected startup receives an initial grant of ₹5 lakh, providing critical early-stage funding to support research, development, and product prototyping.
Beyond financial assistance, participants gain access to fully equipped office spaces and advanced laboratory facilities at C-DOT campuses in Delhi and Bengaluru. These facilities allow founders to experiment, develop prototypes, and refine their technologies in a professional research environment.
Equally important is the program’s mentorship component. Experts from industry and academia conduct training sessions covering key aspects of startup development, including:
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Product design and development strategies
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Building a minimum viable product (MVP)
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Financial planning and resource management
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Go-to-market strategy development
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Legal and intellectual property frameworks
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Investor pitching and fundraising
This holistic approach ensures that entrepreneurs build both technological expertise and the business acumen required to scale their ventures.
Early Success: The First Cohort
The first group of startups under the Samarth program demonstrated promising results. During the Demo Day held in September 2025, participants showcased a range of innovative prototypes and solutions developed during their incubation period.
Following an evaluation of their technological progress and market potential, five startups from the first cohort were selected for Stage-II funding:
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Turtleneck Systems & Solutions
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Purvanchal Engineering Systems
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Vital Carbon
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Agriverse Innovations
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Jumps Automation
Their advancement highlighted the program’s ability to identify startups with strong commercial and technological promise.
Cohort-II: Exploring New Technology Frontiers
Building on the success of the first cohort, C-DOT launched Cohort-II in July 2025, with a stronger emphasis on emerging technology challenges.
Startups were invited to develop solutions in areas such as:
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Artificial Intelligence
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Li-Fi communication technology
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Advanced cybersecurity systems
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Drone-based applications
The program received a large number of applications from innovators across India. After a rigorous screening process involving experts from academia, industry, C-DOT, and STPI, the most promising candidates were selected.
The 18 chosen startups officially began their incubation journey on 8 October 2025, receiving the Stage-I grant during a launch event held at the ASPIRE startup stage during the India Mobile Congress 2025.
Demo Day: Showcasing Innovation
The Demo Day held in March 2026 represented the culmination of months of research, experimentation, and mentoring.
Startups presented a diverse array of technologies, including:
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AI-driven communication platforms
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Advanced connectivity solutions
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Secure digital infrastructure tools
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Drone-based telecom applications
Industry experts attending the event praised the startups for their technical creativity and their ability to address real-world challenges within the telecom ecosystem.
Startups Advancing to Stage-II
Following detailed evaluation, five startups from Cohort-II were selected to receive Stage-II funding support:
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Huebits Tech Private Limited
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Khageshvara Aviation Technology Private Limited
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Xpectro Solutions (OPC) Private Limited
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Zepto Logic Technologies Private Limited
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Vocbot.AI Technology Private Limited
These startups will receive the second tranche of funding, enabling them to further refine their technologies and accelerate product development.
In addition, they may receive continued support through the C-DOT Collaborative Research Program, which facilitates advanced research partnerships and technology development.
Leadership Perspective
During the event, Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of the Centre for Development of Telematics, emphasized the importance of nurturing innovation to shape India’s digital future.
He highlighted that the creativity and technological capabilities demonstrated by the participating startups reflect the growing strength of India’s innovation ecosystem.
Programs such as Samarth, he noted, play a critical role in supporting entrepreneurs who are developing indigenous technologies capable of strengthening the country’s global competitiveness in telecommunications.
Shaping India’s Digital Future
Initiatives like the Samarth Incubation Program are increasingly vital in building a robust innovation ecosystem. By providing early-stage startups with funding, mentorship, and infrastructure, such programs help entrepreneurs overcome initial barriers and bring transformative technologies to market.
The broader impact extends far beyond individual startups. The initiative contributes to:
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Strengthening domestic telecom research and development
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Encouraging entrepreneurship in deep-tech sectors
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Building industry-academia collaborations
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Advancing India’s vision of technological self-reliance
As transformative technologies such as 5G, AI, IoT, and next-generation communication systems continue to evolve, platforms like Samarth will remain crucial in shaping the future of India’s digital economy.
Through sustained support, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to innovation, the program is gradually building a pipeline of startups that can play a meaningful role in driving India’s technological progress.