India’s Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), a leading telecom R&D body under the Ministry of Communications, has awarded grants and infrastructural support to 18 emerging startups selected for the first cohort of its cutting-edge Samarth Incubation Program. Designed to catalyze innovation in telecommunications and information and communication technology (ICT), the program provides up to ₹5 lakh in funding per startup, furnished office space, access to state-of-the-art labs at C-DOT’s Delhi and Bengaluru campuses, and intensive mentorship.
Selected from a competitive nationwide pool, the 18 startups span sectors like 5G/6G, artificial intelligence, quantum tech, cybersecurity, and Internet of Things. Companies such as Turtleneck Systems, Matisoft Cyber Security Labs, Revino Solutions, Vital Carbon, and Agriverse Innovations were among the chosen innovators.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the Software Technology Parks of India and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE Delhi-NCR), will run in two six-month cohorts, ultimately supporting 36 startups. Delivered in hybrid format, Samarth aims to transform high-potential ideas into market-ready solutions by equipping founders with expert guidance, lab access, investor networks, and collaborative research opportunities through the C-DOT Collaborative Research Program.
At the launch event in New Delhi, C-DOT CEO Rajkumar Upadhyay, STPI Director General Arvind Kumar, and TiE Delhi President Atul Dhawan awarded the first tranche of funding, including ₹1 lakh to Vital Carbon. The event also saw the signing of an MoU between C-DOT and STPI, formalizing future collaboration on training, mentorship, and startup acceleration initiatives.
Samarth’s inaugural cohort underscores India’s drive to foster a robust, self-reliant, and globally competitive tech startup ecosystem anchored in next-generation telecommunications. The full list of selected startups is available on C-DOT’s website.
