Mumbai, August 31: The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting’s startup accelerator, WaveX, has partnered with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) Mumbai to launch a dedicated Media Tech Incubator. The initiative aims to boost India’s fast-growing AVGC-XR sector. Applications for the first cohort of 15 startups will remain open until September 7, 2025.
Two-Phase Incubation Model
The WaveX incubator will follow a two-stage model. In the Active Phase, startups will receive intensive guidance in product design, branding, pitching, fundraising, and compliance with media regulations. They will also access sandbox testing facilities across OTT platforms, VFX, gaming, animation, publishing, and post-production.
The Passive Phase will shift focus toward global showcasing, investor engagement, and strategic industry collaborations. Startups will also present their innovations at Waves Bazaar, a platform for connecting entrepreneurs with markets and partners.
WaveX promises top-tier mentorship and infrastructure. Startups will use co-working spaces, digital labs, hosting servers, high-speed internet, and cloud credits from AWS and Google Cloud. India AI compute services are also expected to integrate soon.
Moreover, global tech leaders from Google, Microsoft, and Amazon will conduct masterclasses, bootcamps, and policy clinics. Regular investor connect sessions will expose participants to venture funding and corporate tie-ups at an early stage.
Programme Governance and Selection
The Ministry of I&B will oversee the programme through WaveX, with quarterly reviews ensuring accountability. A total of 15 startups will be shortlisted for the first batch at IICT Mumbai. The incubator fee is set at ₹8,500 per month plus GST.
About WaveX
WaveX is the flagship accelerator under the Ministry’s WAVES initiative, launched to support innovations in media, entertainment, and language technologies. At the WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai, more than 30 startups showcased solutions before investors, policymakers, and industry leaders. The platform continues to back entrepreneurs through hackathons, incubation, and ecosystem integration.
About IICT Mumbai
Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated IICT Mumbai in July 2025. It is India’s first institute dedicated to AVGC-XR education and innovation. Structured as a Section 8 company, the institute is a public–private partnership involving the Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, and key industry bodies such as FICCI and CII.
IICT’s goal is to build a skilled talent pool while strengthening India’s creative economy. With collaborations from Google, Adobe, and Meta, the institute offers specialised courses in animation, gaming, XR, and post-production. Its long-term vision is to position India as a global leader in immersive and digital content technologies.