UST, a global AI and technology transformation company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IIT Madras Incubation Cell (IITMIC), the deep-tech startup hub anchored at IIT Madras, to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in the healthcare and life sciences sectors.
The agreement establishes a collaborative framework for joint programs, engagement with incubated startups and industry partnerships to support high-potential ventures, expand pilots and proof-of-concepts, form strategic collaborations, and create go-to-market opportunities.
As part of the collaboration, Pfizer has joined as a Knowledge Partner and AWS as a Technology Partner. The partners jointly conducted an innovation challenge titled Pitch to Win: Pharma 4.0 Edition, which drew more than 90 startup applications from 32 cities across India, reflecting the growth of the country’s healthcare and life sciences startup ecosystem. Finalists received mentorship and presented before a jury at the event held at the IIT Madras incubation hub in Chennai.
The top three winners of the Pitch to Win challenge were Nucleo-Vir Therapeutics (Winner), ChemBioSens (First Runner-Up) and LN Infosphere Tech Transformers (Second Runner-Up). They received cash awards of ₹1,25,000, ₹75,000 and ₹50,000 respectively.
In addition to prizes, UST will provide conditional funding support totaling up to ₹45 lakh to the three startups, along with strategic support for go-to-market activities.
The MoU aims to identify high-potential startups, provide them mentorship and targeted funding, and systematically support their growth through structured yet flexible initiatives and industry engagement.
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