Archive · 3 Aug 2026
BITS Launches AI Venture Factory Vertex to Build 100 Startups
BITS School of Management in Mumbai is starting a new program called Vertex.
It will let MBA students work inside real AI startups for a few months.
The goal is to help 100 startups grow in three years.
Students will learn by doing, using tools like Cursor AI and working with companies like ICICI Bank.
The program is led by a Silicon Valley veteran and supported by a partner studio called Lenz.
BITS School of Management will launch an AI venture factory called Vertex to embed MBA students into early‑stage AI startups.
Vertex aims to graduate 100 AI startups in three years, offering enterprise pilots, market validation, and funding access.
The incubator partners with Silicon Valley AI studio Lenz and will recruit founders nationwide, focusing on sectors like enterprise AI, fintech, edtech, and multilingual AI.
MBA students will participate in two 12‑week cohorts, working with tools such as Cursor AI and partners like ICICI Bank.
Vertex will be led by Silicon Valley veteran Arvind Ravishunkar, with guidance from BITSoM dean Prof Saravanan Kesavan.
- Who
- BITS School of Management, Prof Saravanan Kesavan, Arvind Ravishunkar, MBA students, AI founders
- What
- Launch of the AI venture factory Vertex to embed MBA students into early‑stage AI startups
- When
- Announced in 2024
- Where
- Mumbai, India, with a nationwide search for founders
- Why
- To accelerate AI startup growth, provide enterprise validation, and modernize business education
- Program Name
- BITSoM Vertex
- Target Startups
- 100 AI startups
- Duration
- 3 years
- Cohort Length
- 12 weeks
- Partner Studio
- Lenz
- Lead
- Arvind Ravishunkar
- Dean
- Prof Saravanan Kesavan