Mumbai — IBM and MeitY Startup Hub, an initiative of India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, have signed a memorandum of understanding to support the growth of the country’s deep-tech startup ecosystem through access to advanced technologies, mentorship and business development opportunities.
Announced Tuesday, the partnership aims to combine MeitY Startup Hub’s nationwide innovation network with IBM’s expertise in artificial intelligence, hybrid cloud computing and quantum technologies to help emerging companies develop and commercialize new solutions.
The collaboration will focus on helping promising Indian startups build, test and scale technology products for domestic and international markets.
Under the agreement, participating startups will gain access to IBM’s enterprise technology portfolio and innovation platforms, along with technical guidance and opportunities to engage with established businesses.
The resources will include IBM watsonx, the company’s enterprise AI and data platform; IBM Bob, an AI-powered coding agent for enterprises; and IBM Sovereign Core, an AI-ready software platform designed to help organizations maintain control over their digital infrastructure and data.
Startups will also receive exposure to IBM’s hybrid cloud infrastructure, quantum computing technologies, cybersecurity solutions and automation tools.
Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO of MeitY Startup Hub, said the partnership would help strengthen India’s domestic technology capabilities while encouraging entrepreneurship in emerging fields.
“India’s startup ecosystem is emerging as a global engine for technology innovation. Through this collaboration with IBM, we aim to strengthen indigenous deep tech capabilities, foster technology-led entrepreneurship and create greater opportunity for innovators to build solutions that contribute to a Viksit Bharat,” Madanagopal said.
The agreement aligns with India’s broader efforts to expand domestic technology development and strengthen its position in advanced computing and digital innovation.
Sandip Patel, managing director of IBM India and South Asia, said the initiative would help startups turn emerging technologies into commercially viable products and services.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening our country’s deep-tech startup ecosystem. These startups are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology-led growth for India and the world,” Patel said.
“Together with MeitY Startup Hub, we aim to help founders innovate faster, scale responsibly, and build solutions that address both national and global challenges – turning promising innovation into real-world impact,” he added.
The partnership is expected to create opportunities for startups to work with enterprise technologies and industry stakeholders while building solutions in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity and other advanced technology sectors.
By connecting early-stage innovators with IBM’s technical expertise and MeitY Startup Hub’s network, the initiative seeks to help Indian technology companies move from product development to commercial deployment and compete more effectively in global markets. (Source: IANS)
