Govt Backs Student Startups! DPIIT-CoCreate Pact to Spark Deep-Tech Innovation

In Indian colleges today, amidst textbooks and caffeine-fueled brainstorming, something much bigger is brewing—ideas that could disrupt industries, transform economies, and maybe even birth India’s next unicorn. Recognising this untapped energy, the Government of India has taken a decisive step.

In a move that could reshape India’s deep-tech and student startup landscape, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based CoCreate Ventures, a firm that has already made its mark by incubating dozens of campus-born innovations.

This strategic collaboration signals more than just institutional support—it reflects a national push to turn university campuses into powerful launchpads for globally competitive, IP-led startups.

Government & Startup Sector Shake Hands on Campus Innovation

The MoU, signed between T. Lalit Kumar Singh, Deputy Secretary at DPIIT, and Suresh Narasimha, Founder and MD of CoCreate Ventures, isn’t just a document—it’s a framework for a future where student-led innovation is not the exception but the norm.

With a shared mission to institutionalize campus-led innovation and supercharge India’s deep-tech capabilities, the agreement aims to enhance startup incubation, create tighter bonds between academia and industry, and build a robust national platform for young entrepreneurs.

"This collaboration marks an important step towards building a structured national program to support deep-tech startups," said Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT. “By leveraging platforms like Startup India Hub, we aim to bring together the right stakeholders—startups, incubators, academia, and industry.”

Who Is CoCreate Ventures?

Founded in 2016, CoCreate Ventures has quietly but consistently carved a niche for itself in the early-stage startup space, particularly focusing on student-led and deep-tech ventures. The firm’s track record is impressive:

• 40+ student startups incubated

• 75+ innovation projects backed

• 50+ patents filed

• Domains covered: AI, robotics, blockchain, IoT, healthtech, sustainability, and more.

CoCreate doesn’t just fund students—it mentors, co-invests, and creates frameworks for real-world problem solving. Their presence in Indian colleges has been a driving force behind several campus success stories, proving that innovation doesn’t always require fancy corporate offices—it can start in hostel rooms.

“We believe the next wave of globally impactful startups will emerge from Indian universities,” said Suresh Narasimha. “This MoU allows us to scale our innovation models, co-investment platforms, and industry partnerships to empower student entrepreneurs at a national level.”

What This MoU Means for India’s Startup Ecosystem

This DPIIT-CoCreate collaboration isn’t just about funding. It’s about building systems—a national innovation pipeline—from classroom to commercialization.

Here’s what it promises:

• Corporate-led Innovation Challenges
• Hackathons across universities
• Student entrepreneurship programs aligned with national priorities
• Tie-ups with ONDC, GEM, India AI Mission, National Quantum Mission

From quantum computing and digital commerce to AI and green tech, the partnership aims to make sure Indian students aren’t just learning tech—they’re building it.

This also ties into the larger mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat@2047—initiatives that strive for a self-reliant, innovation-driven India.

The announcement has already received nods of approval from India’s startup leaders and investors.

“It is critical to build an ecosystem where academic institutions become breeding grounds for breakthrough innovation,” said Padma Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner at Accel India. “DPIIT and CoCreate’s collaboration will play a pivotal role in shaping India's next generation of IP-led and tech-first entrepreneurs.”

This emphasis on IP creation, funding access, and incubation comes at a crucial time when the global startup ecosystem is increasingly betting on deep-tech—sectors like semiconductors, space-tech, clean energy, and quantum computing.

Supporting Events That Shape India’s Startup Identity

The partnership will also actively contribute to flagship national events like:

• National Startup Day

• Startup Mahakumbh

These platforms will now carry an even stronger focus on student entrepreneurship, academic innovation, and public-private collaboration.

Through DPIIT’s extensive networks, the MoU is expected to enable access to knowledge-sharing, funding, mentorship, and market linkages for campus-based innovators.

The question is no longer if Indian campuses can be innovation hubs—but how fast we can make that happen.

This partnership sets the stage for a new wave of Indian startups—born in dorm rooms, but designed for the world. And with the backing of institutions like DPIIT and platforms like CoCreate, these student innovators now have the tools, networks, and vision to take their ideas global.

The message is clear: If you're a student with a solution to a real-world problem, India’s startup ecosystem is now officially ready to back you.