Academia-Industry Training India | ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences

The Academia-Industry Training (AIT) India program supports researchers from Switzerland and India who want to turn their science into business. Whether you are working on a startup idea or have already launched a startup based on your applied research, this program helps you explore the Indian and Swiss innovation ecosystems and brings you closer to a market-ready solution.

For over a decade, the AIT India has been empowering researchers to become sciencepreneurs. The program is funded by the Swiss Leading House South Asia. Together with our partners Swissnex in India and STARTUP CAMPUS we design this program to support participants in exploring the potential of their innovations in the Indian and Swiss markets.

AIT India alumni have launched successful startups and entered new markets. Many of these startups have made a lasting impact in fields such as sustainability, energy and health. This makes the program a reliable early indicator of emerging trends.

Follow us and get all updates on AIT India 2025/26.

Eligibility Swiss-based applicants

The program is open to Swiss-based researchers (this includes professors, senior scientists, postdocs, and PhD students) or master’s students

of a Swiss federal or cantonal university, university of applied sciences, university of teacher education, or public research institute across all scientific disciplines and fields of research (please check the eligible institutions in our overview),
with a startup idea, or
who have founded or co-founded an early-stage, science-based startup or spin-off.

If you meet the criteria above, we are very much looking forward to receiving your application.

What’s in it for you?

Participate in two fully funded weeks in India and in Switzerland
Pitch at Asia’s largest tech conference
Compete for CHF 10,000 to take your next step toward international success
Join a vibrant community of sciencepreneurs
Build your international network

Program information and documents

Application to the program is currently closed.

The next opportunity to apply to the program is: early summer 2026.

Stay tuned and add your name to the waiting list or follow us to receive all updates on the next edition of the AIT India program.

The last program edition 2025/26 consisted of the following:

Jury day: August 27, 2025
10 Swiss-based startups were selected out of all applications in a competitive virtual pitching session.
Kick-off seminary: September 25 to 26, 2025
Seminary in India: November 16 to 22, 2025
Seminary in Switzerland: March 15 to 21, 2026