CIE at IIIT Hyderabad Selects Five Deep-Tech Startups for Avishkar Venture Studio Summer Cohort 2026

Hyderabad, July 31, 2026: The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), IIIT Hyderabad, officially kicked off the Avishkar Venture Studio Summer Cohort 2026 yesterday, marking the start of its flagship research-led venture-building program for deep-tech startups.
The program attracted more than 110 applications from startups across India. Following a rigorous screening process, 20 startups spanning sectors such as DeepTech, MedTech, Mobility, and MediaTech were shortlisted to pitch their ideas before a distinguished panel comprising IIIT Hyderabad faculty, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. The startups were evaluated on the basis of innovation, market potential, scalability, execution capability, and founder strength, with five emerging ventures earning a place in the Summer Cohort 2026.
The five startups selected for the Avishkar Venture Studio Summer Cohort 2026 are:
•    Comply Ark Solution Private Limited – Developing an AI-enabled DPDPA compliance platform.
•    L2 Aero – Building an AI-powered subsurface detection platform for defence and infrastructure.
•    Mimansa Play – Creating an AI-powered speech development platform for children.
•    SentraAuth Technologies – Developing an AI-powered continuous authentication platform using behavioral biometrics.
•    Stylique AI Private Limited (Yoko Styles) – Building an AI-powered fashion design platform that transforms ideas into production-ready sewing patterns.
Over the next six months, the selected startups will work closely with IIIT Hyderabad's research faculty, mentors, and industry experts to strengthen their technologies, build their first minimum viable product (MVP), validate market opportunities, and prepare for commercialization. The founders will also gain access to CIE's extensive mentor and investor network, along with an opportunity to receive up to ₹10 lakh in seed funding.
Speaking about the initiative, Prof Ramesh Loganathan, COO, CIE IIIT Hyderabad, said, "The Avishkar Venture Studio is designed to help founders transform promising technologies into scalable businesses. By combining IIIT Hyderabad's research excellence with market-focused mentoring, product development support, and investor engagement, we aim to accelerate the journey from innovation to impact—helping founders build strong MVPs, validate markets, and prepare for successful fundraising."
The launch of the Summer Cohort 2026 marks another milestone in CIE at IIIT Hyderabad's mission to foster research-led entrepreneurship and strengthen India's deep-tech innovation ecosystem. Through initiatives such as the Avishkar Venture Studio, CIE continues to enable founders to build research-backed, globally competitive technology ventures that address real-world challenges and create lasting impact.