Nexus Startup Hub: Celebrating 20 Cohorts of Innovation

At the American Center in New Delhi, energy was palpable as founders from various sectors gathered to celebrate the graduation of the 20th cohort of the Nexus Startup Hub. Since its inception in 2017, Nexus has been a cornerstone for advancing U.S.-India cooperation through entrepreneurship, innovation, and knowledge exchange.

Nexus has trained over 245 start-ups through an intensive nine-week program. Founders gain practical tools, mentorship from American and Indian experts, and access to professional networks. The program's impact is significant: Nexus alumni have raised more than $95 million in public and private funding.

Beyond financial success, Nexus strengthens people-to-people ties and contributes to a shared innovation ecosystem. This aligns with the strategic goals outlined in the 2025 U.S.-India Joint Leaders’ Statement, including the U.S.-India COMPACT for the 21st Century.

From its earliest days, Nexus has served as a launchpad for market-ready start-ups. Participants work closely with U.S. mentors, learn from international case studies, and build long-term connections with innovation leaders in both countries. Indra Narayan Chaudhary, founder of Space Philic, a Nexus alumnus developing reusable launch vehicles, highlights the program's impact: “Nexus has played a pivotal role in shaping Space Philic’s growth and innovation strategy.”

A standout feature of the recent cohort was the partnership with the University of Connecticut (UConn). Supported by a U.S. Embassy grant, UConn faculty led sessions on intellectual property, business model design, and international expansion. This collaboration opened advanced incubation opportunities for one start-up in the United States.

The 20th cohort brought together 15 start-ups working across robotics, diagnostics, agriculture, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. One founder closed a major client deal during the program, reporting a sevenfold increase in revenue. Others noted improved business models, better investor communication, and more focused growth strategies.

Sravan Kumar Maddela, co-founder of Scichip Robotics, which is developing AI-powered surgical robots, credits the program with strengthening both the technological and commercial direction of his health care start-up. “The connections made with potential collaborators and investors have facilitated crucial partnerships and secured funding,” he says.

Nexus alumni remain connected to the American Center New Delhi ecosystem. Through the American Center’s iHub, participants receive complimentary memberships that include access to digital libraries, curated content, and professional development resources. These benefits help sustain long-term ties between Indian entrepreneurs and American knowledge networks.

As Nexus celebrates 20 cohorts, it looks ahead with a growing alumni network, ongoing partnerships with U.S. universities, and a commitment to high-quality training. The incubator positions itself as a key platform for advancing U.S.-India innovation cooperation. For American stakeholders, it offers a trusted entry point to engage with India’s dynamic start-up sector. For Indian founders, it creates new opportunities to scale globally.

At the heart of the Nexus model is the idea that entrepreneurship can be a bridge between countries, connecting people and ideas to foster prosperity, trust, and long-term partnership.