IIT Madras Launches One-Week AI Startup Course With Rs 4 Lakh Pitch Prize
The Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI) at IIT Madras has launched a one-week, in-person programme titled "Building a Successful AI Startup," running August 10–14 on campus, with applications open until July 27. Open to final-year BTech/MTech/PhD students, faculty, researchers, and early-stage AI founders, it covers everything from identifying market opportunities and building an MVP to fundraising and term-sheet negotiations. The course is led by Lakshmi Shankar, General Partner at Together Fund and a former VP at Google Search, with past leadership roles at Twitter, IBM and EY. It concludes with a Pitch Day where participants present their AI startup ideas to a panel of investors — the winning pitch receives Rs 4 lakh to help build out the venture.
