IndiaAI Startups Global Kick-off at Station F in Paris
IndiaAI, HEC Paris and Station F Join Forces to Accelerate Indian AI Startups in EuropeIndia is taking its AI ambitions global… and fast! Through a groundbreaking collaboration with Station F and HEC Paris, the IndiaAI Startups Global Program gives 10 selected Indian startups a unique opportunity to expand into Europe’s thriving innovation ecosystem. This fully funded program, driven by IndiaAI (initiative from Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, MeitY), kicked off this April 2025 and runs through one of the most prestigious startup platforms in the world: HEC Paris and Station F.
“From India to the world!”: A Strategic Bet on Global Innovation and AI
India is stepping onto the global tech stage with an ambitious approach: The country is no longer just building for India, it’s building for the world. The IndiaAI Startups Global acceleration program, launched by the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is a clear sign of this shift.
By connecting the Indian know-how in tech innovation with the European academic excellence and business opportunities, this program aims to accelerate Indian AI startups' product-market fit for the European market, while positioning India as a key player in AI-driven innovation. Indeed, with its large entrepreneurship and tech ecosystem, France is the perfect springboard for such initiatives. As Station F and HEC Paris are among the strongest platforms for international companies looking to expand into Europe (with the HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute representing one of the top startups hubs in Europe), this partnership will drive long-term value, collaboration, and innovation.
By adding this new program to its portfolio, the HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute’s Incubation & Acceleration Center continues to broaden its reach, deepen its expertise, and amplify its impact for the better. This momentum builds on the proven success of our International Programs, including KOSME, Kised, and JETRO at Station F, which have already empowered hundreds of entrepreneurs from Korea and Japan to scale globally.
What Indian Startups Will Gain
For this first edition of the IndiaAI Startups Global Program, 18 Indian founders were selected, representing 10 startups. They will receive:
- Full Program Sponsorship: Including international travel, accommodation, workspace at Station F, and all program fees.
- Unmatched European Access: Strategic support to penetrate the European market, including investor meetups, legal/regulatory workshops, and market fit guidance.
- Expert Mentorship: From over 1,000 experts and 500+ investors affiliated with Station F and HEC Paris.
- Immersive Onsite Experience: Three months based in Paris with dedicated office space, business development sessions, and cross-border collaboration opportunities.
Kick-off IndiaAI Startups Global Program
May 5, 2025 officially marked the kick-off of the onsite acceleration phase of the IndiaAI Startups Global program at Station F in Paris.
Roxanne Varza, director of Station F, welcomed the startups, highlighting the campus's resources, innovation culture, and community. Antoine Lepretre, director of the HEC Paris Incubateur HEC Paris and the HEC Paris Incubation & Acceleration Center, introduced the extensive innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem at HEC Paris, emphasizing mentorship, academic resources, and the benefits of the global HEC Alumni network with 80,000+ graduates.
The Indian Ambassador, Sanjeev Kumar Singla, delivered an inspiring speech, celebrating the collaboration between India and France on AI innovation, encouraging the startups towards global leadership, and reaffirming India's commitment to excellence in the field.
The day continued with practical activities for the startups, including a guided tour of the Station F campus and a “Welcome Lunch” at La Felicità. The afternoon involved onboarding at Flatmates Residence (STATION F's co-living extension), where the startups would be residing. The event concluded in the evening with a networking dinner at Bayside, providing further opportunities for connection and collaboration.
Startups selected for the IndianAI Startups Global program
GenAI, cybersecurity, EdTech, video intelligence, drones, and more. The ten selected startups represent a diverse range of AI applications, transforming industries and accelerating impact. Here they are:
Conversational GenAI platform for human-centric, multilingual AI agents.
Founders: Ankush Sabharwal, Kunal Bhakhri, Manav Gandotra and Rahul Ranjan
DeepTech GenAI tools for fashion and retail industries.
Founders: Arvind Venugopal Nair and Amritendu Mukherjee
Enterprise privacy and responsible AI solutions.
Founders: Abilash Soundararajan and Deepika Abilash
Earth observation data analytics for agriculture, finance, and environment.
Founders: Prateep Basu, Abhishek Raju and Rashmit Singh Sukhmani
Cybersecurity startup focused on agentic AI for web application protection.
Founders: Tapendra Dev and Sonal Khanna
EdTech platform revolutionizing assessments through AI.
Founders: Aslam Sherieff Jahir Basha, Kannan Ganesan and Swaminathan Ganesan
AI-driven video analytics for security and retail intelligence.
Founders: Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Anurag Saini and Atul Rai
AI coproducer platform for creative project logistics.
Founders: Gaurav Sharma and Abhijit Sah
Voice-driven AI platform for scalable customer interaction automation.
Founders: Abhi Kumar
Smart drone inspection solutions for industrial maintenance.
Founder: Niharika Kolte Alekar
Over the next three months, the selected startups will dive deep into Europe’s largest startup ecosystem: From dedicated co-working space at Station F to exclusive investor meetings and pitch events, the cohort will gain unmatched access to everything needed for international growth. But above all, they’ll benefit from personalized mentoring and strategic connections with key players in the French and European AI landscape.
The international programs run by HEC Paris in partnership with Station F have proven to be a powerful gateway for foreign startups looking to establish and grow their presence in the European market. By offering access to a vibrant ecosystem of experts and investors, along with the essential foundations for launching operations in France, these programs enable startups to refine their value proposition and enter the market more effectively and strategically.
Startups like Hopae (from Korea’s Kised program) and Striemo (from Japan’s JETRO program) are recent success stories. Not only securing funding, but also forging new partnerships and entering promising markets.
With the commitment, drive, and energy shown by the newly arrived Indian startups, it will be a true pleasure to watch their journey unfold and witness the impact they are poised to make.
