Mon Jan 06 03:30:00 UTC 2025: ## IIIT-B Innovation Centre: Fostering Bengaluru’s Rise as a Deep Tech Hub
**Bengaluru, January 6, 2025** – The International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIIT-B) Innovation Centre is playing a pivotal role in establishing Bengaluru as India’s leading deep tech hub. Led by CEO Dr. Lakshmi Jagannathan, the Centre is fostering a robust ecosystem by connecting academia, startups, and corporations.
Unlike traditional incubators, the IIIT-B Innovation Centre focuses on providing market access and mentorship, recognizing that securing market share is crucial for startup success. Their programs cater to various startup stages, from six-month pre-incubation programs for early-stage ventures to acceleration programs for late-stage companies seeking funding and business expansion.
The Centre leverages IIIT-B’s research expertise and collaborations with government agencies and industry partners. Current initiatives include partnerships with the RBI Innovation Hub for fintech startups, a program supporting digital solutions for Farmer Producer Organizations, and a collaboration with NIMHANS for mental health technology solutions. Furthermore, the Centre has launched industry-led acceleration programs in digital health and Industry 4.0, facilitated by partnerships with organizations like the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce and major corporations like TVS and Bosch.
Dr. Jagannathan highlights the unique aspects of Bengaluru’s deep tech ecosystem, emphasizing the readily available pro bono mentorship and the city’s strong digital infrastructure, fully leveraged by IIIT-B. She stresses the importance of connecting startups with corporate markets, arguing that market access, not capital, is the primary challenge for many deep tech ventures. The Centre actively encourages corporations to open their R&D labs to startups, facilitating access to crucial research facilities and reducing reliance on foreign manufacturing.
Dr. Jagannathan also addresses key challenges faced by startups, including early-stage validation and the efficient utilization of existing resources. She advocates for early customer validation to avoid wasted resources on unsuccessful projects and encourages greater collaboration between startups and existing government and corporate research facilities. The Centre aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering translational research and accelerating the commercialization of innovative technologies with a focus on societal impact, particularly in rural areas.
First Piper 