TLDR: The Image Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Hyderabad, an initiative by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), is a pivotal force in nurturing startups across gaming, animation, visual effects (VFX), computer vision, and artificial intelligence (AI). Launched in 2020, the CoE provides a comprehensive ecosystem of mentorship, infrastructure, and funding, significantly contributing to India’s creative technology landscape and positioning the nation as a global innovation hub.
Hyderabad, India – September 9, 2025 – India’s ambition to become a global leader in creative technology and deep tech is being significantly advanced by the Image Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Hyderabad. This pioneering initiative, spearheaded by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in collaboration with the Government of Telangana and key industry partners, serves as a dynamic launchpad for startups specializing in next-generation gaming, animation, visual effects (VFX), computer vision, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Established on February 17, 2020, the Image CoE has rapidly evolved into a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs, creators, and technologists. It is one of STPI’s 24 specialized Centres of Entrepreneurship, each dedicated to fostering innovation within a niche sector. Through these collective efforts, STPI has empowered over 1,400 startups, which have collectively secured approximately Rs 600 crore in funding, developed over 2,000 innovative products, and filed more than 1,000 Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
Specifically, the Image CoE has demonstrated remarkable success, having onboarded 96 startups, leading to the creation of 219 products and 161 prototypes. These startups have collectively raised Rs 49.63 crore in external funding, bolstered by over 10 investor connect programs organized by the CoE, providing invaluable pitching and networking opportunities.
At the core of the Image CoE’s offerings is a rigorous six-month accelerator program tailored for early-stage startups. This program encompasses a holistic support system, including mentorship from seasoned industry experts, strategic go-to-market assistance, and crucial legal and compliance guidance. Furthermore, participating startups benefit from substantial cloud infrastructure credits, laying a robust foundation for their development and scalability.
Innovation at the Image CoE spans several high-impact domains. In Computer Vision, it drives advancements in facial recognition, image and video analysis, and sophisticated motion capture pipelines. Generative AI is being leveraged for cutting-edge applications in animation, storytelling, and visual dubbing. The CoE also applies AI extensively to media and gaming, focusing on areas such as e-sports analytics, real-time rendering, and immersive Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) environments. Additionally, Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies are being developed to power voice-to-text solutions.
Also Read:
- AMD Launches Major Open-Source AI and GPU Programming Initiative in India, Targeting 100,000 Graduates and Free Cloud Access
- US Visa Hurdles Impede Indian AI Startups’ Expansion Amidst Tightened Immigration Policies
The Image CoE’s strategic alignment with national initiatives like Startup India and Digital India underscores its critical role in addressing the evolving demands of the media-tech and AI industries. By providing a powerful blend of infrastructure, expert mentorship, access to funding, and supportive policies, the Image CoE is more than just an incubator; it is a crucial springboard for cultivating the next generation of world-class startups that will define India’s creative and technological future.
