IBM And MeitY Startup Hub Sign MoU

IBM and MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand technology access and support for India’s deep-tech startup ecosystem.

The partnership will bring together MSH’s nationwide innovation network and IBM’s expertise in enterprise AI, hybrid cloud and quantum computing. It aims to help startups at different stages build, validate and scale technologies for Indian and global markets.

Under the agreement, the partners will explore initiatives around enterprise proof-of-concept projects, sovereign AI innovation, open-source ecosystem development, founder mentorship, technical training and opportunities for startups to showcase their solutions to enterprises and investors.

Startups will be able to access IBM technologies, including the watsonx AI platform, IBM Bob AI coding agent and IBM Sovereign Core software stack. The collaboration will also provide opportunities for technical skilling and engagement with enterprises.

The initiative will cover startups working across sectors such as banking, finance, government and industry. A key priority is to identify and support promising innovators from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, widening access to technical resources and commercialisation opportunities beyond the country’s major technology hubs.

“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,” said Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India and South Asia.

“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 agreement also complements IBM Ventures’ engagement with enterprise technology startups in India. The partners have not disclosed the number of startups expected to participate or a specific funding commitment under the MoU.

The collaboration is intended to connect technology development with potential enterprise use cases, helping startups test their solutions and explore pathways to commercial deployment.