Smart Manufacturing & Industry 4.0/5.0

Pre Incubation and Incubation Program

Program aims to drive innovation, collaboration, and scalable growth for startups in the Smart Manufacturing space. The program offers expert mentorship, hands-on workshops, and deep industry engagement to help startups build, validate, and scale cutting-edge technologies.

Startups will receive end-to-end support — from concept to commercialization — with guidance on identifying gaps and core focus areas. These will be addressed through curated expert-led sessions delivered in collaboration with the Wadhwani Foundation’s Liftoff Program for early-stage founders.

Are you building innovative solutions in Smart Manufacturing, Industrial Automation, Robotics, IIoT, AI/ML, or Industry 4.0/5.0 domains?
ATOM

ATOM is a structured 12-week Pre-Incubation Program for early-stage startups exploring or validating their ideas. Successful teams may transition into an 18–24 month incubation program focused on achieving product-market fit, scaling, and accessing funding opportunities.

ORBIT

Mature startups with an alpha prototype or MVP ready can apply to ORBIT, our flagship Incubation Program spanning 18–24 months.

Thematic Areas

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Smart Manufacturing & Automation
  • Predictive Maintenance
  • Robotics & Cobots
  • Industrial IoT (IIoT)
  • Digital Twin
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Supply Chain & Logistics Optimization
  • Real-time Inventory Management
  • Blockchain in Supply Chain
  • Automated Warehousing
  • Route Optimization & Fleet Management
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AI & Data-Driven Manufacturing
  • Machine Learning for Process Optimization
  • Computer Vision in Quality Control
  • Demand Forecasting
  • Generative AI for Industrial Design
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Sustainable & Green Manufacturing
  • Energy Efficiency Solutions
  • Circular Manufacturing Models
  • Emission Monitoring & Reporting Tools
  • Waste Reduction Tech
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Human-Machine Workforce Upskilling
  • AR/VR for Training & Remote Assistance
  • No-Code/Low-Code Tools for Factory Workers
  • Digital Work Instructions
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Cybersecurity for Industrial Systems
  • Securing Industrial Control Systems (ICS)
  • Threat Detection for OT Networks
  • Data Privacy in Smart Factories
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Factory of the Future & Infrastructure*
  • 5G-enabled Industrial Use Cases
  • Edge Computing for Real-Time Control
  • Cloud-Native SCADA Systems

**COMET Foundation EIR support available.

Mentor Panel

Dr. S Devarajan
Senior Vice President
TVS Motor Co Ltd

Mr. Chandrasekharan P
Head of Manufacturing Logistics & Supply Chain
Buhler India Pvt Ltd

Mr. Prakash Gadhar
COO
Ace Designers

Mr. Karthikeyan Varadarajan
Chief Technology officer
EDS Technologies Pvt. Ltd

Mr. Jagannath Varadaraja Iyengar
COO 
m2nxt

Mr. Prahalad Ramarao
Business Leader
Maini Group

Mr. Prashanth Doreswamy
President & CEO
Continental India

Mr. Lakshminarayan M
Non–Independent Non–Executive Director
ASM Technologies Ltd.

Dr. Jacob Crasta J
Chairman
CM Enviro Systems Pvt Ltd

Mr. Shashi Kumar S
Head – Aerospace Skill
Development Centre Dynamatics Technologies Ltd

Mr. Vedant Agarwal
Director
Jesons Technologies Pvt Ltd

Mr. Pandu Ranga Rao Chirala
Sr. Vice President – Tech Operations and Strategic Initiatives, Altair Engineering India Pvt Ltd

Mr. Rajesh Kumar Jha
Country Environment & Sustainability Manager
ABB India Limited

Mr. Vishwanath S Honnungar
CTO
Kushagramati Analytics Private Limited

Mr. Shankar Datta
Director, Data engineering and Science
Bosch Global Software Technologies

Key Takeaways

Mentorship from domain and industry experts

Product and technology refinement

Demonstration and deployment opportunities at partner industry sites

Access to a strong network of corporates, manufacturing leaders, and tech adopters

Pitch refinement and connects to potential investors

Opportunities for strategic partnerships and alliances

Partners

Timeline

Applications open

July 14,2025

Applications close

August 17, 2025

Cohort Selection

September 1, 2025

Program Kick off

September 9, 2025

FAQs
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Should I have my startup company formally registered when I apply?

No, you need not have registered when you apply.

Is there a program fee for Atom pre incubation program?

Yes, there is a program fee of ₹15,000 for the ATOM Pre-Incubation Program. This fee is to be paid to the IIITB Innovation Centre prior to the start of the program.

Is the program conducted online or in-person?

The program is conducted online. However, startup founders from Bangalore can opt for in-person one-on-one sessions for their post workshop interactions based on their preference.

I am in the middle of developing my MVP. Is the program suitable for my stage?

Yes, the program will be able to help you in case you have not followed the three-step process of this program or you are looking for guidance in refining them.

Is there a grant or fund provided as part of this program?

No, this pre-incubation program does not offer any grant or fund. However, if you are selected for our follow-on twelve-month incubation program, you will have access to grants and other financial support directly from IIITB Innovation Centre.

IIIT Bangalore Innovation Centre 26/C, Hosur Rd, Electronics City Phase 1, Electronic City, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560100

For further queries, Contact Incubation Manager: programs-innovation@iiitb.ac.in | Phone: 080 41407777