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Key Points

WaveX and IICT have partnered to create a specialized incubator for media technology startups. The program will support ventures in animation, gaming, VFX, and extended reality through structured mentorship. Selected startups will gain access to co-working spaces, digital labs, and cloud computing resources. Applications for the first batch of 15 startups are open until September 7th, 2025.

Key Points: WaveX IICT Launch Media Tech Incubator for AVGC-XR Startups

  • Offers intensive mentorship in business modeling and product development
  • Provides cutting-edge infrastructure including AV labs and cloud credits
  • Features masterclasses by global experts from Google and Microsoft
  • Includes investor connect sessions and global showcase opportunities
2 min read

WaveX, IICT launch Media Tech Incubator to boost startups in entertainment sector

Ministry of I&B's WaveX and IICT launch incubator offering mentorship, infrastructure, and investor connects for 15 AVGC-XR startups in first batch.

"The incubator will provide a dedicated nurturing ecosystem for startups in the AVGC-XR sector - Ministry of Information & Broadcasting"

New Delhi, August 31

WaveX, the startup accelerator program of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), has announced the launch of a dedicated Media Tech Startup Incubator aimed at nurturing high-potential ventures in the rapidly evolving media and entertainment space.

According to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, the incubator will provide a dedicated nurturing ecosystem for the startups in the AVGC-XR sector, which includes Audio, Visual, Comics, Gaming and Extended Reality. The initiative will provide structured mentorship, cutting-edge infrastructure, strategic advisory, and real-world testing opportunities through government media unit partnerships, helping startups scale and commercialise effectively.

The incubator will follow a two-phase model. In the Active Phase, startups will receive intensive support in areas like business modelling, product development, pitching, branding, fundraising, media regulations, and sandbox testing for sectors such as OTT, VFX, VR, gaming, animation, publishing, and post-production. The Passive Phase will focus on lighter mentorship, global showcases via Waves Bazaar, investor engagement, and building industry connections.

Startups will have access to co-working spaces, AV/digital labs, hosting servers, high-speed internet, and soon, AWS/Google Cloud credits and India AI compute services.

The program will include masterclasses by global experts from companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, as well as bootcamps, policy clinics, and investor connect sessions. The initiative will be governed by WAVEX with quarterly reviews under the Ministry of I&B's mentorship. A total of 15 startups will be selected for the first batch at the IICT campus, with a monthly fee of Rs 8,500 + GST. Applications are open until 7th September 2025.

WaveX is the dedicated startup accelerator platform under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting's WAVES initiative, aimed at nurturing innovations in media, entertainment, and language tech. At the WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai, over 30 startups pitched live to investors, government agencies, and tech leaders. WaveX continues to empower next-gen innovators through hackathons, mentorship, and national platform integration.

The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai, launched in July 2025 by the Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, is a pioneering institution dedicated to advancing India's AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) sector.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Rohit P
₹8500 per month seems reasonable for the infrastructure and mentorship they're offering. Much better than private incubators charging lakhs. Hope they maintain quality throughout the program.
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Arjun K
Finally! Government recognizing gaming and animation as serious industries. We have so much talent but lack proper infrastructure. This could be a game-changer for Indian content going global 🚀
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Sarah B
The two-phase model makes sense - intensive support followed by ongoing mentorship. Hope they focus on sustainable business models rather than just flashy tech. Many startups fail because they don't understand monetization.
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Vikram M
Only 15 startups in first batch? The selection process will be super competitive. Hope they consider diversity across regions and not just focus on metro cities. Tier 2/3 cities have amazing talent too!
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Karthik V
Great initiative but hope the bureaucracy doesn't slow things down. Startups need agility and quick decision-making. The quarterly review system should be efficient and not become another red tape exercise.
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Ananya R
Access to AWS/Google Cloud credits and India AI compute is huge! Infrastructure costs are a major barrier for media tech startups. This could really level the playing field against international competitors 💪

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