CoDE Studio Inaugurated at IIT Hyderabad to Boost Design-Led Innovation for MSMEs and Startups
Hyderabad | January 8, 2026 :
The Centre of Design Excellence (CoDE) at IIT Hyderabad inaugurated its CoDE Studio, a state-of-the-art design and innovation facility aimed at strengthening design-led innovation, skilling, and entrepreneurship for MSMEs and startups.
The studio was inaugurated by Shri Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Telangana (Sports & Youth Services, Advancement, Tourism and Culture), in the presence of Prof. B. S. Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad, and Dr. Prasad S. Onkar, Principal Investigator, CoDE and Associate Professor, Department of Design, IIT Hyderabad.
Supported by Ministry of MSME and Government of Telangana
The CoDE Studio has been established with funding support from the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, and the Government of Telangana under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) initiative. Managed by IIT Hyderabad’s Centre of Design Excellence, the facility will function as both the operational hub of CoDE and a training and skill development centre.
Design Hub for MSMEs, Startups, and Students
Envisioned as a comprehensive design support ecosystem, the CoDE Studio will cater to MSMEs, startups, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and students with entrepreneurial aspirations. The centre will conduct skill development workshops across multiple design domains, undertake craft documentation initiatives, and organise hackathons, conferences, and design awareness programmes.
In addition, CoDE will provide incubation and mentorship support, along with facilitation services for business registration, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) filing, and other startup-related requirements.
Strengthening Industry–Academia Collaboration
With the launch of the CoDE Studio, IIT Hyderabad and the Government of Telangana have reaffirmed their commitment to fostering design-driven innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable industrial development. The initiative is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the competitiveness of MSMEs and startups by integrating design thinking into products, processes, and business models.
The CoDE Studio is set to emerge as a key platform for industry–academia collaboration, promoting innovation-led growth and job creation in the MSME ecosystem.
