In a big boost to India’s cybersecurity ecosystem, IIT Kanpur has launched the Cohort VII program of its flagship Cybersecurity Startup Incubation Program through C3iHub—a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) under the Government of India’s National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
The program, in partnership with IIT Kanpur’s Technology Business Incubator FIRST (Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology), offers funding of INR 30 lakh per startup for a two-year incubation period. This includes an INR 20 lakh non-equity grant and an additional INR 10 lakh in the form of an equity-based fellowship, giving both capital support and long-term value alignment.
Deep-Tech Innovation for National Cybersecurity
Cohort VII will nurture a new set of startups working at the bleeding edge of cybersecurity. The program is looking for early-stage ventures addressing challenges in:
- Mobile security and forensics
- Automotive cybersecurity
- Privacy-enhancing technologies
- Threat intelligence
- Supply chain and infrastructure security
- Security in large language models (LLMs) and AI/ML systems
Startups with solutions for critical infrastructure, digital sovereignty and national security are highly encouraged to apply.
Dr. Tanima Hajra, COO and Interim CEO of C3iHub, stated,
“Our mission at C3iHub is to cultivate a thriving ecosystem where cybersecurity innovation can flourish. Cohort VII represents our continued commitment to identifying and empowering the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. With comprehensive funding, mentorship, and access to the rich resources of IIT Kanpur and SIIC, we are confident that these startups will develop solutions critical for national cyber resilience.”
A Recognised Technology Translational Research Park
In May 2025, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, upgraded C3iHub to a Technology Translational Research Park (TTRP). This elevation recognises the hub’s impactful journey since its inception in 2020. Over the past four years, C3iHub has:
- Incubated 49 cybersecurity startups
- Facilitated the commercial deployment of over 15 products
- Enabled more than 60% of startups to achieve commercialisation
- Trained over 10,000 professionals and students across India
The program has also actively collaborated with 3 spokes and 50 spikes, strengthening India’s cybersecurity readiness across academia and industry.
Strategic Support and National Impact
Selected startups under Cohort VII will receive:
- Structured mentoring by top domain experts
- Access to IIT Kanpur’s research labs and testing infrastructure
- Support in product development and pilot deployments
- Networking with industry, academia, and strategic partners
Startups will be assessed on criteria such as technological novelty, strategic relevance, team capability, and market scalability. Eligible applicants must be Indian-registered startups, ideally less than three years old, with at least one full-time founder.
Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, emphasised the broader vision:
“At IIT Kanpur, we are committed to advancing India’s cybersecurity landscape through cutting-edge research, deep-tech innovation, and impactful entrepreneurship. C3iHub’s seventh startup cohort reflects this vision by nurturing ventures working at the forefront of cybersecurity.”
IIT Kanpur’s Cohort VII Program: Application Details
Aspiring startups can submit their applications through the official form:
➡️ https://forms.gle/RiXCGMJ7jf83Ua6n6
The call for applications marks another bold step by IIT Kanpur in fostering a self-reliant and secure digital India, leveraging the nation’s best talent to develop solutions with global impact and national resilience.
About C3iHub, IIT Kanpur: C3iHub is a pioneering Technology Innovation Hub funded by the DST under NM-ICPS, dedicated to the cybersecurity of cyber-physical systems. It functions across the value chain—from vulnerability detection and security tool development to startup incubation and commercialisation.
About IIT Kanpur: Founded in 1959, IIT Kanpur is one of India’s premier institutions recognised as an Institute of National Importance. The 1,050-acre campus hosts over 9,500 students and nearly 600 faculty, driving innovation across engineering, science, humanities, and management disciplines.
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