Question 1

What is StudioK?

Accepted Answer

StudioK is India's premier 12-month venture studio + HackHouse in Mumbai for IIT students and recent graduates building AI-native B2B startups. It provides all-inclusive housing, food, monthly stipend, up to $500K in pre-seed capital, and daily hands-on support from experienced founders. It's the most comprehensive founder residency program in India.

Question 2

Who can apply to StudioK?

Accepted Answer

StudioK is exclusively for IIT students (current) and recent IIT graduates (within 2 years of graduation). Applicants should be technical founders interested in building AI-native B2B startups. At least one founder on the team must be from IIT. Non-IIT applicants are not eligible.

Question 3

What does StudioK provide?

Accepted Answer

StudioK provides: 1) All-inclusive housing in Mumbai HackHouse, 2) All meals included, 3) Monthly stipend for personal expenses, 4) Up to $500,000 USD in pre-seed capital, 5) Daily hands-on support from experienced founders, 6) Direct access to B2B customers, 7) A community of exceptional IIT founders.

Question 4

How much funding does StudioK provide?

Accepted Answer

StudioK provides access to up to $500,000 USD in pre-seed capital. Funding is deployed based on milestones as you build your startup. Terms are founder-friendly with no predatory clauses.

Question 5

Where is StudioK located?

Accepted Answer

StudioK HackHouse is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. All accepted founders live and work together in the HackHouse for the full 12-month program duration.

Question 6

How do I apply to StudioK?

Accepted Answer

Apply through the nomination system at studiok.dev/nominate. You can nominate yourself (self-nomination) or be nominated by someone else. After nomination, complete the founder application and technical assessment, then interview with the StudioK team.

Question 7

Is StudioK free to join?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is no upfront cost to join StudioK. The program provides free housing, food, and a monthly stipend. In exchange, StudioK takes equity in the companies built during the program.

Question 8

How long is the StudioK program?

Accepted Answer

The StudioK program is 12 months long, significantly longer than typical 3-month accelerators. This extended duration allows for deeper product development, market validation, and building sustainable startups.

Question 9

What kind of startups does StudioK support?

Accepted Answer

StudioK focuses exclusively on AI-native B2B startups. This includes enterprise software, developer tools, infrastructure, vertical AI applications, and B2B SaaS products. Consumer/B2C startups are not accepted.

Question 10

What is a HackHouse?

Accepted Answer

A HackHouse is a co-living and co-working space where startup founders live together. The StudioK HackHouse in Mumbai provides private accommodation, meals, high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a collaborative environment for building startups 24/7.

Question 11

How is StudioK different from Y Combinator?

Accepted Answer

While both provide startup funding, StudioK differs from YC in several ways: 1) 12 months vs 3 months duration, 2) Housing and food included, 3) Located in Mumbai vs San Francisco, 4) Exclusively for IIT founders, 5) Daily hands-on support vs weekly office hours, 6) Focus on AI B2B startups only.

Question 12

Do I need a startup idea to apply to StudioK?

Accepted Answer

Having a startup idea is helpful but not required. StudioK values exceptional technical talent and builder mindset. You can develop and refine your idea during the 12-month program with support from the team.

Question 13

What is StudioK's acceptance rate?

Accepted Answer

StudioK is highly selective with an acceptance rate below 5%. The program looks for exceptional technical talent, strong founder potential, and commitment to building AI-native B2B startups.

Relentless Builders To
World-Class Founders.

Are you ready to build?

IIT Student or Grad

Ready to Relocate

Serious About Startups

The 12-Month Program

Nominate & Accept

Move In & Build

Launch & Raise

How StudioK is fundamentally
different from others:

IIT-Only Founder Pool

All-In, Not Part-Time

Studio, Not Just Incubator

India → Silicon Valley

Investor Network

The Numbers

What We Value

Founder-First

Deep Partnership

AI/B2B Focus

Global Ambition

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Build Your Startup?

Relentless Builders To World-Class Founders.