Chhaya Sharma
At the American Center in New Delhi, energy ran high as founders from diverse sectors came together to mark a major milestone: the graduation of the 20th cohort of the Nexus Startup Hub. Supported by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, Nexus has become a key platform for advancing U.S.-India cooperation through entrepreneurship, innovation, and knowledge exchange.
Since its launch in 2017, Nexus has trained more than 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 results are measurable: Nexus alumni have raised over $95 million in public and private funding.
Beyond business outcomes, Nexus strengthens people-to-people ties and contributes to a shared innovation ecosystem that aligns with strategic goals laid out in the 2025 U.S.-India Joint Leaders’ Statement —including the U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology) for the 21st Century.
Strengthening ties through entrepreneurship
From its earliest days, Nexus has served as a launchpad for market-ready start-ups while showcasing American business practices and collaborative models. The participants work closely with U.S. mentors, learn from international case studies, and build long-term connections with innovation leaders in both countries. This dynamic exchange of ideas supports deeper commercial ties. It also broadens the U.S. footprint in India’s fast-growing innovation space.
“Our time at Nexus has played a pivotal role in shaping Space Philic’s growth and innovation strategy,” says Indra Narayan Chaudhary, founder of Space Philic, a Nexus alumnus developing reusable launch vehicles. The start-up participated in the 19th cohort. “We explored how to align our products and services with real-world needs, ensuring we focus on use cases that resonate with a wide range of clients, from academic institutions to private satellite operators.”
University partnerships and U.S. expertise
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 expert sessions on intellectual property, business model design, and international expansion. For one start-up, the UConn collaboration opened the door to advanced incubation opportunities in the United States.
This partnership underscores how American universities play a growing role in global entrepreneurship training. “The academic expertise we accessed through UConn added depth to our planning,” one participant noted. “It helped us think long-term—beyond just product development.”
Ideas from lab to market
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.
“The connections made with potential collaborators and investors have facilitated partnerships that are crucial for advancing our projects and securing funding,” says Sravan Kumar Maddela, co-founder of Scichip Robotics, which is developing AI-powered surgical robots. A graduate of Nexus’s 18th cohort, Maddela credits the program with strengthening both the technological and commercial direction of his health care start-up.
These outcomes reflect the program’s emphasis on real-world applicability. Participants engage in one-on-one mentoring sessions, peer feedback, and applied learning workshops. From underwater drones and surgical AI to sustainable food packaging, Nexus alumni are building companies with global relevance.
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.
Looking ahead
As Nexus celebrates 20 cohorts, it also looks to the future. The incubator’s growing alumni network, ongoing partnerships with U.S. universities, and commitment to high-quality training position it 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 a simple idea: that entrepreneurship can be a bridge between countries, connecting people and ideas in ways that foster prosperity, trust, and long-term partnership.
Courtesy: SPAN magazine