Digital Economy Push: Samarth to Fund 36 Startups with ₹1.8 Cr Plan, 8 Points

📊 Samarth Program Powers ₹90 Lakh Startup Support in Telecom &  Information and Communications Technology (ICT) — Boosts Digital Economy & Atmanirbhar Bharat

1. Program Overview & Economic Relevance

1.1 The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), under the Department of Telecommunications, launched the Samarth Incubation Program in March 2025.
1.2 The initiative accelerates telecom, 5G/6G, AI, cybersecurity, IoT, and quantum tech startups, directly contributing to the digital economy and tech sovereignty.
1.3 The program targets 36 startups across two cohorts, each running six months, with 18 startups per cycle.

2. Strategic Partnerships Driving Innovation

2.1 Implementation Partners:

• Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)

• The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE)

2.2 Support Focus Areas:

• Digital Infrastructure

• Product Scaling

• IP Growth & Patent Strategy

• Go-to-Market Models

• Fundraising & Investor Access

3. Demo Day for Cohort-I: 18 Startups Showcase Impact

3.1 All 18 startups presented solutions based on problem statements defined by C-DOT.
3.2 Top 5 performers qualified for the Stage-II grant based on innovation and scalability.

✅ Financial Support Snapshot:

*Based on continuation grants; further funding possible under CCRP.

4. Top Five Startups Selected for Next Grant Round

4.1 Selected startups moving to the next funding stage:

• Turtleneck Systems & Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

• Purvanchal Engineering Systems Pvt. Ltd.

• Vital Carbon Pvt. Ltd.

• Agriverse Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

• Jumps Automation LLP

4.2 These startups gain:

• Up to ₹5 lakh in grants

• Six months of free office space (Delhi & Bengaluru campuses)

• Access to advanced R&D labs

• Mentorship from C-DOT scientists & industry leaders

5. Infrastructure & Cost Advantages Driving Economic Outcomes

5.1 Physical & Technological Support:

• Fully furnished workspaces eliminate office setup costs (₹1–₹2 lakh savings per startup).

• Access to telecom-grade labs reduces R&D expenses by 30–40%.

5.2 Mentorship ROI:

• Sessions cover:

  • Product Lifecycle

  • MVP Development

  • Legal & IP Strategy

  • Fundraising & Pitching

  • GTM and Financial Management

5.3 Acceleration impact:

• Faster prototyping cycles

• Better funding readiness

• Scalable tech deployment

6. Expansion: Call for Cohort-II Applications

6.1 C-DOT has invited proposals for Cohort-II, adding another ₹90 lakh+ grant potential.
6.2 Full capacity of 36 startups under Samarth could infuse ₹1.8 crore in direct grants, with indirect investment potential from VCs and CCRP.

7. Leadership Voices & Economic Vision

7.1 Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT emphasized:

• Startup-led digital transformation

• Indigenous telecom leadership

• Alignment with Atmanirbhar Bharat & Digital India

7.2 Notable attendees:

• Ms. Shikha Shrivastava (C-DOT)

• Sh. Arvind Kumar (STPI)

• Ms. Geetika Dayal (TiE)

• Shri Pradeep Gupta (Cyber Media Group)

• Investors & VCs

8. Boost to India’s Digital Economy

8.1 Economic and strategic outcomes:

• Strengthens Telecom R&D independence

• Enables domestic 5G/6G capability

• Builds export-ready ICT startups

• Generates high-skill employment

• Encourages VC and private capital flow

8.2 Long-term forecast:

• Increased IP creation

• Growth in deep-tech commercialization

• Public-private innovation networks

✅ Disclaimer – The Profit India

The content above is based on publicly available information and official updates. The Profit India does not provide investment, legal, or financial advice. Readers are encouraged to verify details independently before making decisions related to funding, partnerships, or policy interpretation.