C3iHub IIT Kanpur Cybersecurity Startup Incubation Program – Cohort VII

C3iHub at IIT Kanpur backs early-stage cybersecurity startups with up to ₹30 lakh over two years, plus mentorship and co-working space.

The C3iHub IIT Kanpur Cybersecurity Start-up Incubation Program, now in its seventh cohort, is a flagship initiative designed to nurture and accelerate early-stage startups that are developing innovative products, technologies, and solutions in the critical domain of cybersecurity. C3iHub, also known as IHUB NTIHAC FOUNDATION, is a Section 8 company operating under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), guided by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The hub is renowned for its commitment to fostering groundbreaking research and development in cybersecurity.

This program is jointly organized with 'FIRST' (FOUNDATION FOR INNOVATION & RESEARCH IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY), a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) also promoted by IIT Kanpur and recognized by DST. FIRST leverages the advanced facilities at IIT Kanpur and its Outreach Centre in Noida to promote and incubate technology-driven, knowledge-based, and innovation-focused startups. SIIC IIT Kanpur, the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre, serves as the incubation partner, providing robust support and facilitating access to the broader IIT Kanpur ecosystem.

The core objective of the program is to empower startups dedicated to solving complex challenges in cybersecurity and allied deep-tech domains. It provides a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to build, validate, and scale their innovations within a supportive academic and industrial environment. Beyond financial support, selected startups gain unparalleled access to IIT Kanpur's world-class ecosystem, expert technical and business mentorship from faculty, industry leaders, and defense experts, and strategic partnership opportunities. The program is particularly keen on startups developing solutions for critical infrastructure, defense, data security, and national cyber resilience, encouraging those with a strong emphasis on strategic and national security to apply. It aims to elevate promising ventures to the next level, contributing to India's cyber security landscape.