Chennai: The Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has announced a one-week intensive, in-person programme titled "Building a Successful AI Startup". The course is designed to help students, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs transform artificial intelligence (AI) ideas into successful business ventures.

The programme aims to provide participants with practical exposure to every stage of building an AI startup, from identifying market opportunities and developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to fundraising, investor pitching, and business growth.

Who Can Apply?

The IIT Madras WSAI AI Startup Course is open to:

• Final-year B.Tech students

• M.Tech students

• PhD scholars

• Faculty members

• Researchers

• Engineers

• Product managers

• Aspiring entrepreneurs

• Early-stage AI startup founders and team members

Course Schedule and Last Date

Applications for the programme are open until July 27, 2026.

The course will be conducted from August 10 to August 14, 2026, at the IIT Madras campus.

Course Highlights

The programme will be led by Lakshmi Shankar, General Partner at Together Fund and former Vice President of Google Search. He has also held leadership positions at Twitter, IBM, and EY, and is a Sloan Fellow at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Participants will gain hands-on experience through:

• Identifying customer needs and market opportunities

• Validating AI business ideas

• Building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

• Developing customer acquisition strategies

• Creating sustainable revenue models

• Understanding fundraising and venture capital

• Negotiating with investors

• Scaling AI startups

The course combines classroom learning, practical workshops, and discussions based on real-world AI startup experiences.

Pitch Day and ₹4 Lakh Prize

The programme will conclude with a Pitch Day, where participants will present their AI startup ideas before a panel of investors and industry experts.

The winning team will receive ₹4 lakh to support the development of its AI startup venture.

How to Apply for IIT Madras WSAI AI Startup Course

Interested candidates can apply by following these steps:

1. Visit the official IIT Madras WSAI website.

2. Open the "Building a Successful AI Startup" application page.

3. Read the eligibility criteria, course schedule, and selection process carefully.

4. Fill in the online application form with the required personal, academic, and professional details.

5. Upload the necessary documents, if required.

6. Submit the application before July 27, 2026.

7. Wait for confirmation from IIT Madras regarding selection and participation.

Opportunity for Future AI Entrepreneurs

With India's startup ecosystem expanding rapidly, initiatives such as the IIT Madras WSAI AI Startup Course provide aspiring innovators with mentorship, industry exposure, and practical entrepreneurial skills. The programme is expected to benefit students, researchers, and professionals looking to build technology-driven startups in the growing field of artificial intelligence.