Global Collaboration Push Shapes AIC BIMTECH’s Startup Strategy as It Enters 2026

Surya Kant, Chief Executive Officer, Atal Incubation Centre BIMTECH, says international partnerships and capacity building will anchor the centre’s next growth phase after supporting 121 startups and ₹6.7 crore in funding

Atal Incubation Centre BIMTECH closed 2025 as a milestone year marked by expanded founder engagement, international exposure, and ecosystem development, and has entered 2026 with a renewed focus on global collaboration and institutional capacity building. The incubation centre, part of BIMTECH, strengthened its role as a founder focused platform through a series of national and international initiatives aimed at accelerating startup readiness and cross border integration.
During 2025, AIC BIMTECH anchored multiple high impact engagements that enhanced founder capabilities and ecosystem access. Key initiatives included Google AI Day in collaboration with Google for Startups, Startup Chile for the launch of its BIG accelerator programme, the UAE India CEPA Startup Series, and its flagship Gen Next Founder Connect. Over the year, AIC BIMTECH onboarded more than 121 startups into its portfolio and supported the disbursement of ₹6.7 crore in funding, reinforcing its position as an incubation centre focused on long term founder outcomes.

Building on this momentum, AIC BIMTECH began 2026 with a strategic engagement with Expert Dojo as part of the accelerator’s India investment tour. The collaboration is aligned with plans to deploy an initial 15 million dollars in funding within the first year. The session titled “How to Build a Unicorn,” led by Brian Mac Mahon and Ashutosh Kumar Jha, brought together more than 70 founders and focused on investor alignment, global scaling strategies, and accelerator led growth.
The renewed global emphasis aligns with broader national priorities as India marks a decade of the Startup India initiative. The Hon’ble Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, has underlined the need for incubation centres to build international innovation bridges through structured partnerships that enable cross border collaboration and knowledge exchange. In line with this vision, AIC BIMTECH has expanded collaborations with Bhutan, Chile, and the United Arab Emirates, creating pathways for international exposure and ecosystem participation for Indian startups.

A significant milestone in January 2026 was the launch of a six day Startup Ecosystem Development and Acceleration Programme for a Bhutanese delegation, held from January 19 to January 24, 2026. The programme focused on institutional capacity building, accelerator design, funding frameworks, and cross border ecosystem development, further strengthening bilateral startup engagement.
The programme coincided with AIC BIMTECH’s ninth Foundation Day on January 20, 2026, marking nearly a decade of its contribution to startup ecosystem development. As part of the Foundation Day observances, AIC BIMTECH recognised alumni startups for their role in capacity building and accelerator training initiatives undertaken in collaboration with the Royal Government of Bhutan, reflecting the centre’s expanding role in international ecosystem development.

Dr. Prabina Rajib, Director of BIMTECH, highlighted the institution’s academic vision and its commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship and innovation. She noted the sustained impact of AIC BIMTECH since its inception in 2017 and its growing recognition through recent national and international engagements.
Reflecting on the journey ahead, Surya Kant, Chief Executive Officer of AIC BIMTECH, said, “As we move into 2026, our focus is on building institutional capacity and long term global partnerships that strengthen startup ecosystems beyond borders.”

The programme concluded with a valedictory session attended by Shri Vivek Sharma, IRS, Managing Director of the Footwear Design and Development Institute, an institute of national importance. The chief guest highlighted the importance of global collaboration, policy alignment, and structured capacity building in strengthening startup ecosystems across countries.
With sustained founder engagement, international partnerships, and ecosystem capacity building at its core, AIC BIMTECH continues to position itself as a catalyst for innovation, supporting startups in translating entrepreneurial potential into scalable and globally relevant ventures.

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