Greater Noida : After a year marked by large scale founder engagement and global ecosystem exposure, AIC BIMTECH, part of BIMTECH, closed 2025 as a defining phase in its growth journey and entered 2026 with renewed focus on international collaboration and institutional capacity building.

Throughout 2025, AIC BIMTECH anchored several high impact initiatives that strengthened founder capabilities and ecosystem access. Key national and international engagements included Google AI Day with Google for Startups, Startup Chile for the launch of its accelerator BIG program, the UAE India CEPA Startup Series and the flagship Gen Next Founder Connect. During the year, AIC BIMTECH onboarded over 121 startups into its portfolio and Supported for disbursement of ₹6.7 crore in funding support, reinforcing its position as a founder first incubation platform.

Building on this momentum, AIC BIMTECH opened 2026 with a strategic engagement with global accelerator Expert Dojo, a leading global early-stage accelerator, as part of its India investment tour, envisioned to deploy an initial $15 million fund within the first year. The session, “How to Build a Unicorn,” led by Mr. Brian Mac Mahon and Mr. Ashutosh Kumar Jha, brought together over 70 founders, offering insights into investor alignment, global scaling, and accelerator-led growth.

As India celebrates a decade of the Startup India initiative, the Hon’ble Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, emphasized that incubation centres across the country should actively build global innovation bridges by partnering with at least one international ecosystem to enable cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange. Aligned with this vision, AIC BIMTECH has taken a proactive step towards strengthening global startup integration by collaborating with Bhutan, Chile, and the United Arab Emirates, fostering international exposure and opportunities for Indian startups.

A key milestone in January 2026 was the launch of a six-day Startup Ecosystem Development and Acceleration Program for the Bhutanese delegation, conducted from January 19–24, 2026, focusing on institutional capacity building, accelerator design, funding frameworks, and cross-border ecosystem development.

The program coincides with AIC BIMTECH’s 9th Foundation Day on January 20, 2026, marking nearly a decade of building and scaling startup ecosystems. As part of the Foundation Day celebrations, AIC BIMTECH recognised its alumni startups for their impactful contributions to capacity building and startup accelerator training initiatives undertaken in collaboration with the Royal Government of Bhutan, highlighting the centre’s growing role in cross border ecosystem development.

Dr. Prabina Rajib, Director, BIMTECH, highlighted BIMTECH’s academic vision and its commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship. She emphasized the impactful role of Atal Incubation Center, BIMTECH in supporting startups since 2017 and noted its growing recognition through recent national and international engagements.

Reflecting on the journey, Mr. Surya Kant, CEO, AIC BIMTECH said, “As we move into 2026, our focus is on building institutional capacity and long term partnerships that strengthen startup ecosystems beyond borders.”

The programme concluded with a valedictory session graced by Shri Vivek Sharma, IRS, Managing Director – Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI), an institute of National Importance. Hon’ble chief guest felicitated the delegates and highlighted the importance of global collaboration, policy alignment, and structured capacity building in strengthening startup ecosystems across borders.

With sustained founder engagement, international collaborations and capacity building at its core, AIC BIMTECH continues to expand its footprint as a catalyst for innovation, translating entrepreneurial potential into scalable and globally relevant ventures.​