IBM and MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, have signed a memorandum of understanding to speed up India’s deep-tech startup ecosystem. The agreement was announced on October 13 in Mumbai.
Under the MoU, startups will get access to IBM’s technical expertise, mentorship, enterprise engagement, skilling and ecosystem support. The focus is on enterprise AI, hybrid cloud and quantum computing, to help startups build, validate and scale technologies for India and global markets.
Startups will be able to work with IBM technologies including:
watsonx: IBM’s enterprise AI and data platform.
IBM Bob: an AI coding agent for enterprises.
IBM Sovereign Core: an AI-ready software stack for digital sovereignty.
Security and automation: IBM’s solutions in those areas, alongside hybrid cloud and quantum computing.
Planned initiatives include enterprise proof-of-concept projects, sovereign AI innovation, open-source ecosystem development, founder mentorship and technical skilling. Startups will also get chances to showcase their solutions to enterprises and investors. Target sectors include banking, finance, government and industrial. Support will span multiple growth stages, with a stated priority on finding and nurturing innovators from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
The MoU complements IBM Ventures’ existing work in India, which uses a “capital-plus” model to back enterprise technology founders.
Dr. Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO of MSH, said: “India’s startup ecosystem is emerging as a global engine for technology innovation.” Sandip Patel, Managing Director of IBM India & South Asia, said the partnership will “help founders innovate faster, scale responsibly, and build solutions that address both national and global challenges.”
No financial terms were disclosed.
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