Andhra Pradesh has launched two Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence in Amaravati and Visakhapatnam to support early-stage deeptech startups with computing infrastructure, technical mentorship and commercialisation assistance.
The centres have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications. They will operate under the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub, the state’s startup and innovation network.
Startups selected to work with the centres will receive access to specialised AI sandboxes and high-performance GPU computing infrastructure. These resources are intended to help companies develop, train and test artificial intelligence models without independently bearing the full cost of advanced computing systems.
The centres will also offer mentorship programmes, application programming interface access, investor connections, market access and structured linkages with industries. Commercialisation support will be provided to help research-led projects move from prototypes to deployable products and services.
“The twin centres will strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration among academia, industry, and research institutions, positioning the state as a leading destination for AI-driven ventures,” said P Dhatri Reddy, CEO of the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub and Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society.
The operational framework is designed to address gaps faced by deeptech ventures in accessing computing resources, technology-transfer assistance, specialised business guidance and potential customers. The initiative will also promote cooperation among startups, universities, research institutions and established companies.
The centres are expected to support artificial intelligence applications across multiple sectors rather than focusing on a single industry. Startups will be able to use the facilities to validate technology, improve their products and explore commercial deployment opportunities.
The Ratan Tata Innovation Hub will manage the centres’ startup-engagement programmes and coordinate with government agencies, educational institutions, investors and industry partners.
Through the twin-centre model, Andhra Pradesh aims to develop a stronger AI and deeptech startup ecosystem while improving access to infrastructure that remains expensive for early-stage companies.
