The primary objective is to create a world-class ecosystem for building research-driven, disruptive startups and to place IIT Madras on the global map of entrepreneurial universities, according to a statement.
IIT Madras already hosts India’s largest deep-tech startup ecosystem, with more than 475 startups valued at over ₹50,000 crore ($6 billion), creating over 11,000 jobs, filing 700+ patents, and attracting ₹12,000 crore in investments. These ventures have emerged through the IITM Incubation Cell and several sector-specific incubators.
The new School, led by Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal—a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee and a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering—will offer structured academic and practical support for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Programmes under the School will include a Minor in Entrepreneurship, an MS in Entrepreneurship, PhD and ‘Innovation Doctorate’ tracks, and an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) cohort to support returning professionals. Additionally, it will offer practice-led undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
To support this initiative, the School plans to establish funding mechanisms for startup initiation and scale-up stages, run intellectual property (IP) clinics, and foster translational research.
Prof V Kamakoti, Director, IIT-Madras stated that the School will institutionalize the institute’s innovation and entrepreneurship efforts. “We already have a strong I&E stack—e-Cell, CFI, Nirmaan, GDC, and IITM Incubation Cell. With this School, we bring them all under one academic umbrella,” he said.
He also shared that the ₹200 crore IITM Alumni Fund has nearly met its fundraising target, with alumni committing to support institute-incubated startups in exchange for equity.
Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations) and advisory board member for the School, highlighted that the School will integrate the various parts of IIT Madras’ organically grown innovation ecosystem—from early ideation to IPO-ready ventures.
