Call for Startups

ACM CODS is India's premier conference on data science and AI. In 2026, we're launching our first dedicated Start-up track, a curated space that brings deep tech founders face to face with the researchers, faculty, and students building the next generation of AI/ML and data products in India.

We're inviting early stage to scaling start-ups working in AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science, whether you're still validating an idea (-1 to 0), just launched (0 to 1), and/or scaling usage (1 to 10). The track is designed for start-ups that are trying to build a credible business on the back of substantive technical work and have an interest in further deepening ties with the technical community.

What's in it for your start-up

• Founder circle: Listen & Connect with DeepTech entrepreneurs and industry leaders who've already made the journey from lab to market.
• Faculty speed dating: Timed 1-on-1 slots with professors, built for research collaboration, tech transfer, or advisory relationships. If you need domain expertise or a research partner, this is the fastest way to find one in a room.
• Talent access: A direct pitch to graduating students and recent alumni actively looking for deep tech roles.
• Recognition: An award backed by ACM IKDD, credible recognition from one of the largest communities of AI researchers.
• Demo showcase: Stage time and booth space in front of a technical, high-intent audience, academics, researchers, and industry attendees who track this space closely.
• Early feedback: A chance to pressure-test your roadmap with AI experts who could be your future investors, customers, or employees.

Who should apply

DeepTech start-ups building proprietary technology in AI, Data Science, or allied fields. This is a research-adjacent audience that will engage with both the technical depth and the business fundamentals. Areas of particular interest (but not limited to):

• Generative AI and LLMs including foundation models, Indic language models, fine-tuning, and agentic systems
• Computer vision including medical imaging, industrial inspection, satellite/geospatial analysis
• FinTech AI stack including fraud detection, credit risk, algorithmic trading
• HealthTech and life sciences AI: diagnostics, drug discovery, genomics
• Robotics and autonomous systems: perception, navigation, industrial automation
• Agentic systems tooling, Data infrastructure and MLOps: tools that other AI teams can build on
• Climate and AgriTech AI: crop monitoring, sustainability analytics, climate risk modeling

We intend to select up to 10 start-ups, keeping the group small enough for real depth in each discussion.

How to apply

Submit a PDF deck of up to 10 slides covering:

• Product profile - why this problem, what you've built
• Existing Traction and Impact – current product state (demo video), customers, Github stars, leaderboard/benchmark performance, or any other measurable impact
• Key member profiles - founding team background
• Existing funding (if any)

Application link: https://forms.gle/2wPQUMmXe4iMR3dQ6

Key dates

• 30th Sept: Submission date
• 20th Oct: Acceptance Notification
• 14th Dec: Start-up Day with CODS’26