Design Clinic for Startups

We are excited to announce the Design Clinic for Startups at the India HCI 2026 Conference. We want to use this opportunity to build and unite a community of early-stage startups, mentors, and researchers exploring how design, human-computer interaction, and systems thinking can shape the way startups grow.

As we continuously strive to push the boundaries of knowledge and practice, we see immense potential in design to help startups build better products and systems. We are eager to create a space where founders can engage with experienced mentors and walk away with perspective and feedback on their design and systems work, within the broader India HCI domain.

The Design Clinic is open to startups working in the domain of human-computer interaction, system design, service design, or any area closely associated with interaction design. We especially welcome early-stage startups looking for a broader perspective and hands-on feedback on their design thinking, system mapping, and strategy.

Startups working in, or closely associated with, the following areas are encouraged to apply:

• Human-computer interaction

• System design

• Service design

• Any startup working on the broader interaction design space

Application Process: 

Interested startups must fill in the Design Clinic application form and attach their pitch deck along with the requested details about their team and work.

Review Process: 

Applications will be reviewed by the Design Clinic chairs based on how well the startup fits within the India HCI ecosystem.

Online Submission: 

Through the Design Clinic for Startups Google Form.

Selected startups will be shortlisted and invited to participate in the full three-day Design Clinic programme. Startups that are not shortlisted are welcome to attend India HCI 2026 in general; however, the Day 3 round-table discussion will remain closed to selected startups only.

Submission Details

All applications to the Design Clinic must be submitted through the Design Clinic application form.

A submission must contain the following:

Pitch Deck 

A pitch deck describing the startup, its product or service, the team, and the problem it is solving.

Application Details 

Basic details about the startup and team, submitted through the Google Form, which will help the chairs understand how the startup fits within the India HCI ecosystem.

We invite startups working at the intersection of design and technology, who are looking to engage deeply with mentors and gain perspective and feedback on their design, systems, and other challenges associated with the India HCI domain.

Applications will be reviewed by the Design Clinic chairs based on the pitch deck and details shared through the form.

Selection Criteria

• Fit: the startup's work should be closely associated with human-computer interaction, system design, service design, or interaction design more broadly.

• Stage & Need: preference will be given to early-stage startups that can benefit from mentorship on design thinking, system mapping, and strategy.

• Clarity: the pitch deck should clearly communicate the startup's problem, product, and team.

Shortlisted startups will be mapped to a mentor ahead of the event. Each startup must share all relevant project work with their mentor in advance, as this will be reviewed by the mentor before Day 2.

Day 1

An orientation session of half an hour for all participating startups.

Day 2

The day opens with a masterclass by one of the mentors, sharing a session on startups and design. This is followed by a parallel 10-minute question and answer session.

Alongside this, there is a common pitch track where each startup gets to pitch and present its work to the mentors. Startups will have shared all their work in advance, and each startup will be mapped to a mentor who will attend their pitch. This runs parallel to the workshops and sessions on Day 2 of India HCI.

Day 3

A round-table discussion where all shortlisted startups and mentors come together to talk about their design and systems work within the India HCI domain. This session is closed to selected startups only.

For any queries, the startups can contact the Design Clinic Track Co-Chairs at psonkar@des.iith.ac.in and shashank.deshpande@gmail.com