In a bold move to strengthen India’s position on the global startup map, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched a School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, aiming to establish a world-class ecosystem for deep-tech startups. The initiative, unveiled on August 4, 2025, is designed to nurture entrepreneurial talent and accelerate the commercialization of cutting-edge research.
According to an official statement, the school will serve as a dedicated platform for translating academic research into market-ready solutions, supporting budding entrepreneurs from ideation to scaling. The new academic unit will offer a range of programs including a minor stream in entrepreneurship, an MS in Entrepreneurship, a PhD in Innovation, and an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) programme, aimed at professionals seeking to pursue entrepreneurship full-time.
“The objective is to bring IIT Madras to the forefront of global startup universities,” the institute said. The school will focus on innovation-led education, incubation, funding, and IP protection, forming a complete innovation lifecycle under one roof.
In a notable addition, IIT Madras will also run a new programme for translating research to industry, which is expected to bridge the gap between the lab and the market. An industry-defined innovation doctorate is also in the pipeline, aimed at aligning research outcomes with real-world industrial needs.
The school will establish IITM-specific funding mechanisms to support startups at both the initiation and scale-up stages. This is expected to enhance the institute’s already robust innovation ecosystem.
To facilitate faster transition of ideas into products, the School will host regular IP clinics, enabling students to understand intellectual property processes and file patents with support from the IITM Intellectual Property Management Cell.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed participation from key figures including Prof. V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations, Anbarasu Manivannan, Head of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal, the founding head of the new school. Startup founders, faculty members, students, alumni, and industry leaders were also present, highlighting the broad support for this ambitious initiative.
IIT Madras already houses India’s largest deep-tech startup ecosystem, supported by its IITM Incubation Cell and several sector-specific incubators. The ecosystem currently boasts over 475 startups, collectively valued at more than ₹50,000 crore (US$6 billion). These ventures have created 11,000+ jobs, filed 700+ patents, and attracted ₹12,000 crore in investments.
With the launch of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, IIT Madras aims to consolidate and expand its leadership in deep-tech innovation, making it a global hub for technology-driven entrepreneurship. The move is expected to significantly enhance India’s standing in the international startup and innovation ecosystem.
