Build Your AI Startup.
Get Funded. Go Global.
The AQe NexGen AI Launchpad is India's most credible free incubation program for AI/ML engineering students, backed by a BSE-listed company with 30 years of technology leadership and direct access to global enterprise markets.
Real mentorship. Real funding. Real market access. Zero cost.
Watch: How AQe NexGen AI Launchpad Works
Built on 30 Years of Enterprise Excellence
The AQe NexGen AI Launchpad is powered by a consortium of established technology leaders. Join hands with us to build and get supported by the global infrastructure, network, and market access of three proven enterprises.
AQe Digital
More than two decades of driving global digital transformation and AI adoption.
Ace Software Exports Limited
BSE Listed enterprise specialized in software engineering and deep-tech innovation.
Ace Infoway
Pioneers in IT infrastructure, cloud connectivity, and managed enterprise services.
Not a Training Program. A Startup Engine.
What Is AQe NexGen AI Launchpad?
The AQe NexGen AI Launchpad is a zero-cost, equity-flexible startup incubation program run by AQe Digital Ltd, a publicly listed IT company with 30 years of enterprise technology experience and an active global client base.
Selected teams receive access to AQe's cloud infrastructure, internal technology stack, CXO-level mentorship, investor networks, and direct deployment channels into AQe's enterprise client base.
In return, AQe co-develops the product alongside founders and retains a negotiated equity stake, depending on the level of contribution.
Who It's For
- Current B.E./B.Tech students (final year or recent graduates) building AI/ML products
- Early-stage student startup teams with a functional beta product
- Founders looking for a credible co-building partner, not just a classroom
What Makes It Different
- Backed by a BSE-listed company, not a college club or co-working space
- Startups get access to paying enterprise clients, not just pitch competitions
- Founders retain core IP. AQe shares the upside without taking control
- 100% free. No fees, no hidden costs, no stipend clawback
From Application to Seed Round in 12 Months
A structured, milestone-driven program designed to compress years of startup building into 12 focused months.
The Launchpad Is Built on Four Pillars
Funding
Seed and growth-stage funding support for startups that achieve product-market fit. Introductions to AQe's VC, PE, and Angel Investor network. Investor-grade financial modelling support.
Technology
Cloud infrastructure, compute credits, direct API access, proprietary AQe frameworks, code reviews, and ML-Ops mentoring are all provided at zero cost to selected founders.
Business Coaching
A structured 12-module masterclass covering AI entrepreneurship fundamentals, revenue model design, go-to-market strategy, CXO communication, and Gallup leadership profiling.
Market Access
Direct access to AQe's live global client base for product pilots. eCommerce partner network integration. PR, media, and innovation showcase support.
Guided by Industry Leadership
With 30 years of enterprise technology leadership and a global network spanning US, EU, and Asia-Pacific markets, Mr. Amit Mehta brings direct investor access and commercial realism to every founder he mentors.
As the Program Head for the AQe NexGen AI Launchpad, Mr. Snehal Bhatt leads the incubation strategy, guiding startups from core ideation to enterprise readiness while actively bridging the gap between innovative AI concepts and practical, scalable market applications.
Application & Selection: 6 Phases to Empanelment
Phase 1 — Awareness & Application (Weeks 1–4)
Submit your pitch deck and a 3–5 minute video demo through the AQe Launchpad portal.
Phase 2 — Screening (Week 5)
Automated eligibility check followed by a panel technical review. Applications are filtered against four criteria: AI-native product, beta stage with original IP, demonstrable community benefit, and ethical AI compliance.
Phase 3 — Founder Interviews (Week 6)
Shortlisted teams undergo a 3-round evaluation covering technical depth, market understanding, and founder mindset.
Phase 4 — Empanelment (Weeks 7–8)
Final agreements signed. Equity terms finalized. Tech stack access and cloud infrastructure granted.
Phase 5 — Active Incubation (Months 2–9)
Weekly sprints, monthly progress reviews, and quarterly go/no-go milestone assessments.
Phase 6 — Demo Day (Months 10–12)
Public pitch to investors. Top 3 startups selected for accelerated AQe funding.
Important Dates
Up to 5 startups per cohort are empaneled.
Applications open: April 2, 2026.
For Students & Developers — This Is What Participation Actually Means
Skip 3–5 Years of Startup Building
AQe's enterprise infrastructure, client relationships, and technical framework compress your go-to-market timeline dramatically.
Access Paying Clients From Day One
Pilots run on AQe's active global client base — not simulated environments.
Learn by Doing, Not by Watching
The entire curriculum is execution-linked, tracked weekly against your actual startup progress.
Keep Your Company
Founders retain core IP. AQe co-builds — it does not acquire.
Get Funded on Merit
Funding decisions are made by a board-level committee with real capital, not a panel of judges awarding certificates.
Build a Professional Profile That Stands Apart
Being an AQe Launchpad alumnus means you have built, pitched, and operated an enterprise-grade AI product backed and mentored by a publicly listed enterprise.
The Program Costs You Nothing
There are no tuition fees or entry deposits required. We invest in your potential by providing our entire ecosystem at zero cost.
You Are the Right Fit If...
Students & Founders
- You are a current B.E./B.Tech student or recent graduate in CS, AI, or Engineering from a Gujarat college
- You have an AI/ML product past the concept stage; functional beta preferred
- Your product addresses a real problem in enterprise, community, or social sectors
- You are building something original, not a clone or a generic AI wrapper
- You are looking for a genuine co-building partner, not just a certificate or a shortlist appearance
- You are willing to commit to a structured weekly sprint process over 5 months
Faculty & Institutions
- A Head of Department or Faculty In-charge at an engineering college looking to give your top students a structured entrepreneurship pathway
- A Principal or institutional decision-maker who wants to formalize AQe Ambassador partnerships on campus
Apply. Build Something Real.
The application portal opens April 2, 2026.
Every cohort is limited to 5 empaneled startups, selected from 150+ applicants across 50 engineering colleges in Gujarat.
Last date: May 2, 2026.
If you have an AI idea worth building and the drive to bring it to life, this platform gives it the best possible chance of success.
Apply to AQe NexGen AI Launchpad 2026For institutional partnerships and campus outreach:
[email protected]