Ahmedabad, July 31, 2025 : iCreate
(International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology), India’s leading
deep tech startup incubator, successfully concluded the first cohort of ProtoQuik
Launchpad – a 30-day technology refinement and prototype acceleration
initiative designed to help robotics innovations navigate critical stages of
development.
ProtoQuik is iCreate’s flagship technology refinement programme aimed at
helping early-stage deep-tech startups overcome the “valley of death” – the
critical phase where 90% of startups fail due to lack of product-market fit,
prototyping support, or strategic guidance. The programme delivers
comprehensive enablement through expert mentorship, component sourcing support,
milestone planning, and real-world use-case validation.
The programme received over 100 applications from across 20 states and
union territories, including strong representation from Tier 2 and Tier 3
cities. Nine of the most promising robotics startups were selected after a
rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process. These startups worked on breakthrough
technologies and solutions including fire-fighting drones, autonomous
surveillance rovers, ship-hull cleaning robots, beach cleaning robots, and
underwater inspection systems, each addressing urgent real-world challenges in
sectors like marine safety, pollution control, and industrial automation.
Over 30 days, these innovators benefitted from full-stack support
including:
·
Mentorship from seasoned
robotics entrepreneurs, domain experts, and international mentors
·
Access to iCreate’s prototyping
labs and fabrication workshops
·
Consultative sessions with
regulators and defence organisations to identify scalable use cases
·
Support for component sourcing,
design and simulation tools via technology partners
·
Structured milestone tracking,
culminating in a roadmap towards commercial deployment
Each cohort participant has received up to ₹2 lakh worth of prototyping
support, and after Demo Day, the most promising startups will be evaluated for
subsequent funding from iCreate, to enable them in their journey towards
commercialisation.
The ProtoQuik Launchpad Demo Day witnessed active participation from
iCreate’s key ecosystem partners and senior representatives from organisations
including IIT Gandhinagar, Acxelerate India, Ansys, Startupbootcamp India, Vety
and Livestock Innovation and Incubation Foundation (VLIIF), Ludhiana, and Atria
University, Bengaluru. Senior leaders from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation
Limited (HPCL), Mr. R. Sella Prabu (General Manager – Business Development) and
Mr. Sayan Chakraborty (Manager – Business Development), presented the Udgam
initiative — a programme aimed at empowering innovators and entrepreneurs in
India to transform promising ideas into validated Proof of Concepts (PoC) and
advance them towards successful commercialisation.
During the event, iCreate also announced its partnership with Startupbootcamp
India to foster a resilient, high-impact entrepreneurial ecosystem with a focus
on energy transition. This partnership will support early-stage startups
through mentorship, access to strategic investments, and global best practices,
combining Startupbootcamp’s international network with iCreate’s expertise in
accelerating startup journeys from ideation to market readiness. Key
collaboration areas include outreach, startup selection, business growth
support, and seed capital enablement.
Speaking about the programme, Avinash Punekar, CEO, 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, and with ProtoQuik, we aim to help startups cross the “Valley of Death”
that often stifles promising ideas. By equipping them with the right tools,
expert mentorship, and a supportive ecosystem, we enable these ventures to evolve
from prototypes to scalable, market-ready solutions. This initiative reaffirms
our commitment to nurturing deep tech entrepreneurship – not just to survive,
but to thrive and lead on the global stage.”
Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Narottam Sahoo, Advisor &
Member Secretary, GUJCOST, said: “iCreate’s ProtoQuik Launchpad
reflects the transformative synergy between science, technology, and
entrepreneurship. By accelerating deep tech innovations in robotics for
real-world use cases – be it disaster response or water body maintenance – this
initiative strengthens Gujarat’s position as a science-first innovation state.
GUJCOST remains committed to supporting such efforts that bridge academic
research with societal impact and pave the way for homegrown technologies to
scale globally.”
Sharing his perspective, R.D. Barhatt, Joint Commissioner of
Industries, Government of Gujarat, said: “ProtoQuik exemplifies how
Gujarat is becoming a hub for deep tech innovation. Through structured
mentorship, industrial access, and a focused 30-day sprint, iCreate is enabling
startups to bring impactful products to life. The Department of Industries is
proud to support such programmes that build future-ready technologies while
nurturing entrepreneurship across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, making innovation
truly inclusive and scalable.”
The current cohort marks a significant step in iCreate’s broader mission
to nurture deep tech entrepreneurship across domains. Building on its Electric
Vehicles Centre of Excellence, iCreate is expanding into other national
priority sectors including Mobility (across space, water, air, rail and ground
based platforms), Climate Tech, Health Tech and Defence Tech.
ProtoQuik Launchpad will be a recurring programme, with future cohorts
themed around Mobility, Climate Tech, Agri Tech, Smart Cities, Drones, Defence,
among others. iCreate welcomes partnerships with corporates, research labs, and
policy institutions to co-create impactful solutions with the upcoming cohorts.
About iCreate
iCreate (International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology) is
India’s leading incubator providing deep tech startups the fastest runway to
commercialisation. With a focus on hardware-based innovations in Mobility,
Climate Tech, and Health Tech, it follows a high-touch, entrepreneur-first
approach in nurturing startups. Since inception, it has supported over 870
innovations and 60 patents through incubation, acceleration programmes,
mentorship, market connects, and funding. iCreate’s state-of-the-art 40-acre
campus was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.
iCreate is the Lead for the Inclusion & Sustainability Taskforce
under Startup20 South Africa (SU20SA). It has served as the Knowledge Partner
to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, has partnerships with leading global
institutions, and a strategic partnership with CSIR, India’s apex organisation
for science and technology.
It has been recognised as the Impact Incubator of the Year at the
Micelio Mobility Awards 2024 and is the recipient of the National Award for
Technology Business Incubator 2020.
