C DOT Samarth Incubation Demo Day Latest Update 18 Startups Showcase Innovation

India’s telecom innovation ecosystem received a major boost as the Centre for Development of Telematics hosted the Demo Day for the second cohort of its flagship Samarth Incubation Program. The event, held on March 12, 2026, at the NBCC Convention Hall in New Delhi, highlighted groundbreaking solutions developed by 18 startups working across emerging technology domains including artificial intelligence, telecom applications, cybersecurity, and next generation connectivity.

The Samarth initiative, launched in 2025, aims to nurture early stage technology ventures by providing financial support, infrastructure, mentorship, and industry exposure. Designed to accelerate innovation in India’s telecom and information and communication technology sectors, the program plays a critical role in strengthening the country’s digital technology ecosystem.

The Demo Day provided a platform for innovators to present their products and solutions before industry experts, investors, and government stakeholders. The event also marked the selection of top performing startups that will receive further funding and collaborative opportunities, reinforcing the government’s commitment to building a robust startup ecosystem aligned with India’s digital transformation ambitions.

C DOT Hosts Demo Day for Samarth Incubation Program Cohort II

The Centre for Development of Telematics organized the Demo Day for the second cohort of the Samarth Incubation Program at the NBCC Convention Hall in New Delhi. The event brought together innovators, policymakers, investors, and technology experts to witness the progress made by startups participating in the six month incubation initiative.

Samarth is a specialized incubation program designed to support startups working in the telecom and ICT sectors. The initiative operates under the guidance of the Department of Telecommunications India and aims to promote innovation in key technology areas that are essential for India’s digital infrastructure.

During the Demo Day event, 18 startups from the second cohort showcased their technological prototypes and solutions. Their projects addressed critical problem statements across emerging technology domains including artificial intelligence, Li Fi communication systems, cybersecurity solutions, and drone based technologies.

Industry experts attending the event evaluated the presentations and provided feedback on the technological feasibility, scalability, and market potential of the showcased solutions.

Timeline and Background of the Samarth Program

The Samarth Incubation Program was officially launched in March 2025 as part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic technology development in telecommunications and digital infrastructure.

The program is structured in two cohorts, each lasting six months, and supports up to 18 startups per batch. This allows the initiative to incubate a total of 36 startups across both cohorts.

To ensure effective program implementation, Software Technology Parks of India and The Indus Entrepreneurs were appointed as key implementation partners. These organizations play a crucial role in mentoring startups, organizing training sessions, and connecting entrepreneurs with industry networks.

Each selected startup receives financial assistance of ₹5 lakh as a Stage I grant along with office space and access to advanced laboratory facilities at C DOT campuses located in Delhi and Bengaluru.

The program also includes mentorship from telecom researchers and industry professionals as well as training sessions covering product development, intellectual property management, business strategy, and investment pitching.

The first cohort of the Samarth program concluded its Demo Day in September 2025. Based on their performance, five startups from Cohort I were selected for additional funding under Stage II grants, demonstrating the program’s ability to accelerate promising innovations.

Top Startups Selected for Stage II Grants

During the Demo Day for Cohort II, several startups demonstrated innovative technological solutions designed to address current and future challenges in telecom infrastructure and digital communication.

After evaluating the product potential, technical capability, and execution strategy of participating startups, a selection panel identified five top performers for the Stage II grant under the Samarth program.

The startups selected for further support include:

• Huebits Tech Private Limited
• Khageshvara Aviation Technology Private Limited
• Xpectro Solutions OPC Private Limited
• Zepto Logic Technologies Private Limited
• Vocbot Ai Technology Private Limited

These startups will receive the second tranche of financial assistance and gain access to expanded mentorship opportunities.

In addition to the financial grant, the selected companies will also be eligible for potential collaboration through the C DOT Collaborative Research Program, which supports joint research initiatives between startups and technology institutions.

Expert Insights and Industry Response

Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of the Centre for Development of Telematics, praised the participating entrepreneurs for their commitment to innovation.

He emphasized that the creativity and determination of startup founders are playing a critical role in advancing India’s digital transformation journey.

According to Dr Upadhyay, the solutions presented by the startups reflect the growing capability of Indian innovators to build globally competitive telecom technologies.

The Demo Day event was attended by several industry leaders and technology experts including Pradeep Gupta, Chairman of Cyber Media Group, along with representatives from the technology startup ecosystem.

Senior officials from partner organizations including Arvind Kumar, Director General of Software Technology Parks of India, and Geetika Dayal, Director General of TiE Delhi NCR were also present.

Their participation reflects the growing collaboration between government institutions, industry organizations, and startup founders in building India’s digital innovation ecosystem.

Impact on India’s Telecom and Technology Startup Ecosystem

Programs like Samarth play a critical role in strengthening India’s innovation capacity in telecom and digital technologies.

The telecommunications sector is undergoing rapid transformation with the rollout of advanced networks, artificial intelligence driven applications, and emerging technologies such as 6G.

According to the International Telecommunication Union, next generation telecom infrastructure will require significant innovation across network security, communication technologies, and data processing systems.

India’s focus on building a strong startup ecosystem in these areas is therefore essential for maintaining competitiveness in the global digital economy.

The Samarth program helps bridge the gap between research institutions and startup companies by providing entrepreneurs with access to technical expertise, testing infrastructure, and industry partnerships.

This collaborative approach allows early stage companies to transform research ideas into market ready products.

Future Outlook for Telecom Innovation in India

Looking ahead, experts believe that incubation initiatives like Samarth will become increasingly important as India seeks to position itself as a global leader in digital technology innovation.

Government programs supporting startups in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced telecommunications, and cybersecurity are expected to expand in the coming years.

By nurturing early stage technology ventures, India can accelerate the development of indigenous telecom technologies and reduce dependence on imported digital infrastructure.

According to industry analysts, continued investment in innovation and startup incubation could also contribute to job creation, export growth, and technological self reliance.

As India advances its digital transformation agenda, programs such as Samarth are likely to remain central to the country’s strategy for building a vibrant and globally competitive technology ecosystem.