iCreate (International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology), India’s leading deep tech startup incubator, concluded the first cohort of ProtoQuik Launchpad, a 30-day technology refinement and prototype acceleration initiative. The programme focused on helping early-stage robotics startups overcome the critical “valley of death,” a phase where 90% of startups fail due to the absence of product-market fit, inadequate prototyping support, and limited strategic guidance.
ProtoQuik Launchpad serves as iCreate’s flagship technology refinement programme, offering startups a structured pathway to evolve their prototypes into market-ready solutions. The first cohort demonstrated how an ecosystem that combines mentorship, technical support, and real-world validation can transform innovative ideas into commercially viable products.
Nationwide Participation and Selection of Promising Robotics Startups
The programme attracted over 100 applications from 20 states and union territories, reflecting its nationwide reach. Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities contributed a significant share of applications, highlighting India’s expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem beyond metropolitan hubs.
After a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process, iCreate selected nine promising robotics startups for the inaugural cohort. These startups worked on breakthrough technologies that solve pressing real-world challenges, including:
- Fire-fighting drones for rapid emergency response.
- Autonomous surveillance rovers for industrial and security applications.
- Ship-hull cleaning robots to improve marine safety and efficiency.
- Beach cleaning robots addressing coastal pollution.
- Underwater inspection systems for marine and industrial infrastructure.
Each startup addressed critical needs across marine safety, environmental sustainability, and industrial automation, demonstrating the transformative potential of deep tech in solving societal challenges.
Comprehensive 30-Day Acceleration for Prototype Refinement
iCreate designed ProtoQuik Launchpad as a high-impact, 30-day sprint to accelerate prototype development and market readiness. The cohort participants received full-stack support, including:
- Mentorship from seasoned robotics entrepreneurs and domain experts, supported by international mentors for global insights.
- Access to iCreate’s advanced prototyping labs and fabrication workshops, enabling rapid design and iteration.
- Consultative sessions with regulators and defence organisations, helping startups align their solutions with industry and national needs.
- Component sourcing support and access to design and simulation tools through technology partners.
- Structured milestone tracking, ensuring each startup progressed towards a clear roadmap for commercial deployment.
Each participant received up to ₹2 lakh worth of prototyping support, helping them accelerate design, testing, and validation without financial bottlenecks.
The Demo Day served as the culmination of the programme, allowing startups to showcase their prototypes, secure feedback from industry experts, and explore opportunities for future funding from iCreate to drive commercialisation.
Active Ecosystem Engagement and Strategic Collaborations
The Demo Day drew active participation from iCreate’s ecosystem partners and senior industry representatives. Notable organisations included:
- IIT Gandhinagar
- Acxelerate India
- Ansys
- Startupbootcamp India
- Vety and Livestock Innovation and Incubation Foundation (VLIIF), Ludhiana
- Atria University, Bengaluru
Leaders from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), including R. Sella Prabu (General Manager – Business Development) and Sayan Chakraborty (Manager – Business Development), presented the Udgam initiative, which aims to empower innovators to transform ideas into validated Proof of Concepts (PoCs) and advance towards commercialisation.
During the event, iCreate announced a strategic partnership with Startupbootcamp India. This collaboration will strengthen India’s deep tech startup ecosystem by offering mentorship, global best practices, and strategic investments. Key collaboration areas include:
- Startup outreach and selection.
- Market growth and business strategy support.
- Seed capital enablement.
- Support for startups in energy transition and deep tech domains.
Leaders Highlight the Vision Behind ProtoQuik Launchpad
Speaking about the programme, Avinash Punekar, CEO of iCreate, said:
“ProtoQuik Launchpad embodies our vision to foster the next generation of deep tech startups in India – those that go beyond code to create real-world impact. Robotics is a frontier where Indian innovation can truly lead. By equipping startups with the right tools, expert mentorship, and a supportive ecosystem, we help them cross the ‘Valley of Death’ and evolve from prototypes to scalable solutions. This initiative reflects our commitment to making Indian deep tech startups thrive and lead globally.”
Dr. Narottam Sahoo, Advisor & Member Secretary of GUJCOST, emphasized the synergy between science, technology, and entrepreneurship:
“By accelerating deep tech innovations in robotics – from disaster response to water body maintenance – this initiative strengthens Gujarat’s position as a science-first innovation state. GUJCOST remains committed to bridging academic research with societal impact, enabling homegrown technologies to scale globally.”
R.D. Barhatt, Joint Commissioner of Industries, Government of Gujarat, added:
“ProtoQuik demonstrates how Gujarat is becoming a hub for deep tech innovation. Through a focused 30-day sprint and structured mentorship, startups are bringing impactful products to life. We take pride in supporting initiatives that make innovation inclusive, scalable, and future-ready, especially across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.”
Building a Scalable Deep Tech Ecosystem
The first ProtoQuik cohort marks a milestone in iCreate’s mission to nurture deep tech entrepreneurship across multiple domains. Having successfully built its Electric Vehicles Centre of Excellence, iCreate now aims to expand into Mobility, Climate Tech, Health Tech, and Defence Tech, aligning with national priorities.
Future ProtoQuik cohorts will focus on Mobility, Climate Tech, Agri Tech, Smart Cities, Drones, and Defence, enabling startups to work on impactful, sector-specific challenges. iCreate continues to welcome corporates, research labs, and policy institutions to co-create solutions and mentor future innovators.
About iCreate
iCreate (International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology) stands as India’s premier incubator for deep tech startups, providing the fastest runway to commercialisation. The centre focuses on hardware-led innovations in Mobility, Climate Tech, and Health Tech, offering a high-touch, entrepreneur-first approach.
Since its inception, iCreate has:
- Supported over 870 innovations and 60 patents.
- Provided mentorship, funding, and market connects for deep tech startups.
- Operated from a state-of-the-art 40-acre campus, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.
iCreate holds recognition as:
- Lead for the Inclusion & Sustainability Taskforce under Startup20 South Africa (SU20SA).
- Knowledge Partner to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.
- Recipient of the National Award for Technology Business Incubator 2020.
- Impact Incubator of the Year at the Micelio Mobility Awards 2024.
Through programmes like ProtoQuik Launchpad, iCreate strengthens India’s deep tech leadership, helping startups transform ideas into market-ready solutions with global relevance.
Also Read – What Sets xAI Apart from OpenAI and Anthropic?