IISc Launches Quantum Startup Innovation Centre
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Wadhwani Foundation have jointly introduced the Wadhwani-IISc Innovation Centre along with a dedicated quantum startup acceleration platform. These initiatives are designed to strengthen India’s deep-tech ecosystem and accelerate the journey of scientific research toward real-world commercial applications.
The announcement was made during Quantum Pitch Fest 2026, hosted at IISc, where researchers, startups, and innovators showcased cutting-edge ideas in quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing technologies. The event highlighted the growing interest in advanced technologies and India’s push to become a global leader in the quantum space.
The Wadhwani-IISc Innovation Centre was formally inaugurated by former ISRO chairman A. S. Kiran Kumar. The ceremony was attended by key figures including Dr Ajay Kela, CEO and board member of the Wadhwani Foundation, and Dr Shirshendu Mukherjee, Managing Director of Wadhwani Innovation Network India. Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration between research institutions and industry stakeholders in driving innovation.
The newly established centre is intended to act as a hub for deep-tech development, startup incubation, and partnerships between academia and industry. It forms part of the broader Wadhwani Innovation Network, an initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and technology-driven growth through strategic investments and institutional collaboration.
In addition to the innovation centre, IISc also launched a new startup accelerator named InQubate. This platform is specifically designed to support early-stage startups working in the quantum technology domain. It will function within IISc’s broader quantum ecosystem, which includes the Quantum Research Park, the Wadhwani-IISc Innovation Centre, FQCI, and INUP.
Together, these initiatives are expected to provide a structured pathway for researchers and entrepreneurs to translate complex quantum research into viable startups and commercial technologies. The focus remains on building a strong foundation for India’s emerging quantum industry while encouraging innovation-driven economic growth.
