C-DOT Launches ‘Samarth’ Cohort-II to Empower 18 Startups in Telecom and ICT Innovation at India Mobile Congress 2025

New Delhi, October 14: The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), India’s premier telecom R&D institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, organized the Kick-off Session of ‘Samarth’ Cohort-II during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The session marked another milestone in the government’s efforts to foster indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship in the telecom and ICT sectors.

The ‘Samarth’ Incubation Program, launched in March 2025, is a cutting-edge initiative designed to support startups working on next-generation technologies, including 5G/6G, AI, IoT, cybersecurity, Li-Fi, drones, and quantum technologies. The program is implemented in collaboration with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) as strategic partners.

C-DOT has selected 18 startups under Cohort-II, each receiving financial grants, fully furnished office space, and access to C-DOT’s advanced laboratory facilities at its Delhi and Bengaluru campuses. The newly onboarded startups were formally handed the first tranche of their grants during IMC 2025. Additionally, a series of mentorship and acceleration sessions are being arranged to support their innovation journey.

The selected startups for Cohort-II include Huebits Tech, Dawniens International, Khageshvara Aviation Technology, Revon Unmanned Systems, InventGrid India, Vayunotics Technologies, Airborne Fidelity, Astraq Cyber Defence, Xpectro Solutions (OPC), Vighnarajendra Software LLP, Zepto Logic Technologies, Senteinta Quality AI Advanced Technology Research, Unicorniz Innovation, Nam Infocom, SOL9X, Yantriksh Cybernetics Industries, Nife Apps Labs, and Vocbot.Ai Technology.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, highlighted the pivotal role of startups in India’s digital transformation. “The passion, creativity, and determination of our startups are the driving forces behind the nation’s digital journey. As we celebrate the success of Samarth Cohort-I and launch Cohort-II, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders in telecom and ICT,” he said.

He added that C-DOT’s long-term vision includes establishing Academic Centres of Excellence in leading institutions to embed innovation at the very roots of India’s educational system.

Earlier, the first cohort of the Samarth program, launched in March 2025, successfully incubated 18 startups, which worked on five innovative problem statements provided by C-DOT. The top five performers from Cohort-I received additional grants after demonstrating their solutions at the Demo Day in September 2025.

Cohort-II received a strong response after applications opened in July 2025. The shortlisted applicants were evaluated by a Selection Committee comprising experts from academia, industry, C-DOT, and STPI, based on the quality of innovation, relevance to problem statements, team capability, and execution potential.

The launch event was attended by senior dignitaries including Dr Pankaj Kumar Dalela, Executive Vice President, C-DOT; Dr Dilip Krishnaswamy, Executive Vice President, C-DOT; Arvind Kumar, DG, STPI; Pradeep Gupta, Chairman, Cyber Media Group; and Upasana Sharma, Executive Director, TiE Delhi-NCR, along with industry representatives, scientists, and mentors.

The Samarth program underscores C-DOT’s commitment to fostering synergetic innovation and co-creation of indigenous telecom solutions, aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Participating startups will also receive specialized training in marketing, IPR, finance, legal, and regulatory frameworks, enabling them to grow into sustainable, high-impact enterprises driving India’s technological self-reliance, the ministry said.