C-DOT Launches ‘Samarth’ Incubation Program to Accelerate Telecom Startups

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), India’s premier telecom R&D institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has unveiled an ambitious new startup support initiative—‘Samarth’ Incubation Program—to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the telecom and ICT sectors. Launched at C-DOT’s New Delhi campus, the program aims to transform India’s startup landscape by nurturing early-stage ventures working on cutting-edge technologies such as 5G/6G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and IoT.

Program Vision: Enabling a Telecom Innovation Ecosystem

C-DOT’s ‘Samarth’ program is designed to provide holistic, end-to-end support for selected startups—from ideation through to commercialization. The initiative reflects the Government of India’s strong emphasis on self-reliance in digital infrastructure and indigenous technology development under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Delivered in a hybrid format, the program leverages C-DOT’s state-of-the-art infrastructure in both New Delhi and Bengaluru, while partnering with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and TiE Delhi-NCR (The Indus Entrepreneurs) as implementation collaborators. Together, they offer a powerful support network, combining technical resources with market access, mentorship, and investor connections.

Program Structure: Two Cohorts, 36 Startups, Six-Month Acceleration

The ‘Samarth’ Incubation Program is structured into two cohorts of six months each, with 18 startups per cohort, thereby enabling support for up to 36 startups annually. Each startup receives:

• A grant of up to ₹5 lakh

• Fully furnished office space for six months at C-DOT campuses

• Access to C-DOT's sophisticated lab facilities

• Dedicated mentoring from C-DOT technologists and external experts

• Inclusion in investor and industry networking events

• Opportunity for future collaboration and additional funding through the C-DOT Collaborative Research Program (CCRP)

Cohort-I: The First 18 Innovators

Following a rigorous selection process, 18 startups were chosen from a highly competitive applicant pool. A distinguished Selection Committee—comprising thought leaders from academia, industry veterans, and senior officials from C-DOT and STPI—assessed candidates on parameters such as innovation quotient, execution feasibility, relevance to national telecom needs, and scalability.

The 18 startups selected for Cohort-I are:

1. Turtleneck Systems & Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

2. Matisoft Cyber Security Labs Pvt. Ltd.

3. Revino Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

4. Ajayan Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

5. Vital Carbon Pvt. Ltd.

6. Atibha Research and Development Pvt. Ltd.

7. Alphappleton Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

8. Agriverse Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

9. Haranzel Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

10. Threat Expert Cyber Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

11. Brahmi Systems (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

12. Paravani Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

13. Purvanchal Engineering Systems Pvt. Ltd.

14. Aaizel International Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

15. Brenin Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

16. Jumps Automation LLP

17. Master Education Pvt. Ltd.

18. Farsight Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

The complete list has been published on www.cdot.in and cdot.sayuj.net.

Launch Event Highlights

The program launch was marked by a vibrant mentoring-cum-acceleration session held at C-DOT Delhi. It was attended by:

• Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT

• Shri Arvind Kumar, Director General, STPI

• Mr. Atul Dhawan, President, TiE Delhi-NCR

• Senior mentors, venture capitalists, startup founders, and C-DOT technologists

Each of the selected startups received the first tranche of grant funding during the event. The program was widely appreciated for its ambition to bridge the gap between ideation and commercialization in India’s deep tech and telecom space.

Strategic Collaboration: C-DOT–STPI MoU

The occasion also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between C-DOT and STPI, signaling the start of a long-term partnership. The MoU outlines cooperation in areas such as:

• Joint training and mentorship initiatives

• Startup acceleration and product commercialization

• Collaborative R&D in strategic technologies

• Integration of telecom R&D with grassroots startup innovation

Both Dr. Upadhyay and Shri Arvind Kumar praised the dynamic collaboration, calling it a landmark initiative that combines India's research strengths with entrepreneurial energy to solve real-world problems.

Looking Ahead: Pathways to Commercialization

C-DOT officials emphasized that ‘Samarth’ is not just an incubation platform, but a launchpad for future telecom leaders. Startups that demonstrate strong progress and potential during the six-month cohort will be considered for extended funding, commercial pilot support, and integration into national projects under the C-DOT Collaborative Research Program.

Through this initiative, C-DOT aims to foster India’s strategic autonomy in telecommunications, reduce reliance on imports, and build a strong IP-driven digital economy. The program is part of a broader national mission to build robust innovation pipelines in key areas like 5G, cybersecurity, and AI-powered communication platforms.

By combining funding, mentorship, technical excellence, and policy support, the ‘Samarth’ program promises to be a game changer for India’s startup ecosystem in telecom and ICT—empowering entrepreneurs to shape the future of digital connectivity and secure communication infrastructure.