Asik SyedIn a strategic move to foster innovation in India’s telecom and ICT ecosystem, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has rolled out the Samarth Program for Startups. This initiative serves as a launchpad for early-stage ventures, helping them transform innovative concepts into scalable business solutions. By offering financial grants, modern infrastructure, and expert mentorship, the program empowers startups to thrive in a competitive tech landscape.
During its inaugural phase, 18 promising startups were carefully selected through a rigorous evaluation process to join the first cohort of this ambitious program.
What Is the Samarth Program for Startups?
Samarth is a six-month incubation program tailored for startups working in advanced domains such as:
- Telecom applications
- Cybersecurity
- 5G/6G technologies
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Quantum computing
The program will run in two cohorts, supporting 36 startups in total, and offers up to ₹5 lakh in financial grants along with fully equipped office space at C-DOT’s Delhi and Bengaluru campuses.
How Startups Are Selected
A dedicated Selection Committee reviewed applications based on several key factors:
- Degree of innovation
- Market potential
- Founding team strength
- Relevance to identified tech problem areas
Only the most high-impact ventures were chosen to participate.
Key Benefits for Participating Startups
Startups accepted into the Samarth Program receive:
- Access to C-DOT’s state-of-the-art labs
- Mentorship from leading C-DOT technologists
- Opportunities to collaborate via the C-DOT Collaborative Research Program (CCRP)
- Networking with industry leaders and investors through program partners
This well-rounded support ecosystem is crafted to accelerate startups from ideation to commercialization.
Program Partners Driving the Mission
The program is being executed in collaboration with two key implementation partners:
- Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)
- TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs)
Both partners bring valuable experience in mentoring, scaling, and connecting startups with global networks.
Highlights from the Launch
The launch event brought together key figures in India’s tech landscape, including:
- Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT
- Sh. Arvind Kumar, Director General, STPI
Startups received their initial grants during the event, which also celebrated the new collaboration between C-DOT and STPI—a partnership expected to significantly strengthen India’s telecom startup ecosystem.
Neha Baruah
Tazrin Jakaria
Asik Syed
Pinki Borah