Unleashing India's creative spark: Image CoE powers next-gen gaming, VFX, and AI

At the heart of the CoE is a six-month accelerator program designed for early-stage startups. The program offers mentorship from seasoned industry experts, go-to-market strategy support, legal and compliance assistance, and much more. Startups also benefit from significant cloud infrastructure credits providing a solid foundation for building and scaling

In a world where technology and creativity increasingly intersect, the Image Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) stands out as a driving force behind India’s emerging innovation ecosystem. Focused on Gaming, Animation, VFX, Computer Vision, and Artificial Intelligence, this STPI-led initiative has fast become a launchpad for startups working at the cutting edge of immersive and intelligent digital experiences.

Established by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in collaboration with the Government of Telangana and leading industry partners, the Image CoE was launched on 17 February 2020 in Hyderabad. Since then, it has grown into a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs, creators, and technologists alike.

Image CoE is one of STPI’s 24 Centres of Entrepreneurship, each catering to a niche sector. Through these CoEs and the Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS), STPI has empowered over 1,400 startups, which have together raised around Rs 600 crore in funding. These efforts have led to the creation of over 2,000 innovative products and more than 1,000 IPR filings, thereby strengthening India's position in the global startup landscape.

At Image CoE, innovation comes to life across several high-impact domains. These include Computer Vision technologies such as facial recognition, image and video analysis, and motion capture pipelines. Generative AI is used for animation, storytelling, and visual dubbing.

The CoE also applies AI to media and gaming, specifically for e-sports analytics, real-time rendering, and AR/VR environments. Finally, Natural Language Processing (NLP) powers voice-to-text solutions for regional content and intelligent video tagging.

What makes Image CoE unique is the end-to-end support it offers to startups. From plug-and-play workspaces and a thriving peer community to accessing cutting-edge labs (like Motion Capture and CV Labs) and preview theatres, the ecosystem is built to foster creativity, experimentation, and scalability.

Image CoE has onboarded 96 startups, helped create 219 products and 161 prototypes, and facilitated the raising of Rs 49.63 crore in external funding. Moreover, it has organised over 10 investor connect programs, giving founders valuable opportunities to pitch, network, and grow.

At the heart of the CoE is a six-month accelerator program designed for early-stage startups. The program offers mentorship from seasoned industry experts, go-to-market strategy support, legal and compliance assistance, and much more. Startups also benefit from significant cloud infrastructure creditsproviding a solid foundation for building and scaling.

Some of the startups nurtured at IMAGE CoE are already making an impact. Advi Arts, based in Hyderabad, is transforming animation workflows using Generative AI. Their models can generate 2D and 3D characters and storyboards from simple text prompts, enabling rapid prototyping for games and films. They’ve already secured a Proof of Concept (PoC) with a film studio to produce AI-generated trailers.

Another standout, Testing Solutions Private Limited, is working on a Responsible AI framework. They’ve developed the world’s first comprehensive testing suite for AI/ML systems, applying advanced techniques like metamorphic and adversarial testing to ensure AI models are fair, secure, and accurate, raising the bar for ethical AI deployment.

Meanwhile, Perfect Fit Systems Pvt. Ltd. is reimagining digital forensics. Their solution integrates high-resolution imaging, LiDAR-based 3D scene reconstruction, and blockchain hashing to create secure digital records of crime scenes. Fully compliant with the Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, their tech supports AI-assisted Mahazar reports and links seamlessly with Digital Evidence Management Systems (DEMS)—helping modernise policing and legal processes in India.

In the vibrant field of animation, Inani Media is a creative animation and visual storytelling studio. With years of experience across technology, media, and content creation, it functions as a full-spectrum internet publishing and content company. Inani Media specialises in animation, mobile content distribution, advertising, marketing, and strategic consulting, delivering compelling narratives across platforms.

Making waves in the field of gaming, Indus Gaming Studio is dedicated to developing high-quality games for Android and iOS platforms, as well as producing 2D and 3D art and videos. Fuelled by passion, the team strives to create engaging, enjoyable experiences for users. Indus Gaming Studio serves as a dynamic platform for creative individuals to build exciting games and immersive artwork.

As India continues its journey toward becoming a global innovation powerhouse, Image CoE is playing a crucial role in nurturing future-ready startups in creative tech and deep tech. The initiative aligns with national programs such as Startup India and Digital India, while also addressing the evolving needs of the media-tech and AI industries.

With its powerful mix of infrastructure, mentorship, funding access, and policy support, Image CoE is more than just an incubator; it's a springboard for the next generation of world-class startups in gaming, VFX, animation, and AI.

(Author is Director General, Software Technology Parks of India)