CHENNAI– In a major push to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has officially launched a School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SIE) to create a world-class ecosystem for establishing deep-tech start-ups and to position itself on the global map of entrepreneurial universities.
The School was formally inaugurated on 4th August 2025 by Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, in the presence of senior faculty members, startup founders, alumni, students, and industry partners. The founding head of the new School is Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal, a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awardee and noted faculty entrepreneur from the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Nation’s Largest Deep-Tech Ecosystem
IIT Madras already hosts India’s largest deep-tech startup ecosystem through the IITM Incubation Cell and various sector-specific incubators. This ecosystem includes 475+ startups valued at over ₹50,000 Crore (US\$ 6 Billion), having generated 11,000+ jobs, filed 700+ patents, and attracted ₹12,000 Crore in investments.
The new School is expected to amplify these achievements by offering structured academic and curricular support, targeting the development of the next generation of deep-tech startup founders aligned with the national vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’.
Academic Programs and Innovation Support
The School will introduce a range of academic programs, including:
- A Minor in Entrepreneurship
- A specialized MS (Entrepreneurship) degree
- A unique PhD program with a focus on translational research
- An Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) program to support professionals transitioning to entrepreneurship
- An Innovation Doctorate based on industry-defined problems
Additionally, the School will establish IIT Madras-specific funding mechanisms to support startups at both initiation and scale-up stages. It will also run ‘IP Clinics’ in collaboration with the IPM Cell to guide students and researchers in filing patents and converting innovations into IP-backed products.
Strategic Vision and Leadership
Highlighting the strategic importance of the initiative, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said:
“After achieving 1.2 patents a day and crossing 100 startups in the last financial year, it is time to institutionalize our innovation efforts. This School ties together all our innovation stack—from the student-run e-Cell and CFI to the GDC and Incubation Cell—into a cohesive academic framework.”
He also announced that the IITM Alumni Fund, which has nearly met its ₹200 crore target, will be used as a venture fund to invest in IIT Madras-incubated startups in return for equity.
Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, added:
“This School formalizes a thriving innovation pipeline that we’ve built over years. It’s designed to take ideas from concept to IPO—under one roof.”
Prof. Anbarasu Manivannan, Head of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, under which the new School operates, remarked:
“We are leading not just for India, but setting a benchmark globally. This School will support academic requirements and enable interdisciplinary collaboration.”
Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal, the Founding Head of the School, shared his vision:
“Deep-tech entrepreneurship is not easy—it’s a long and demanding path. This School will walk with founders through this journey, providing academic, financial, legal, and market support at every step.”
Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
The new School consolidates and coordinates the innovation infrastructure on campus, including:
- Centre for Innovation (CFI) – India’s largest student-run maker space
- Nirmaan Pre-incubator – Incubated successful ventures like GalaxEye Space
- Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell) and Tech-Soc– Platforms for building startup culture
- Gopalakrishnan Deshpande Centre (GDC) – Entrepreneurial mindset training for researchers
- RuTAG Cell – Focused on rural and social innovations
It will also oversee initiatives like:
- Fellowships for recent graduates to build ventures
- Business training and mentorship programs
- Innosphere Outreach – Extending innovation awareness beyond the campus
With the establishment of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, IIT Madras is set to become a global leader in innovation-driven education and deep-tech startup creation, empowering future founders to build for India and the world.
Click Here for More Latest News