Startup Originals Team
IIT Madras, known for nurturing some of India’s brightest minds, is now stepping into the venture capital space with the launch of a ₹200 crore early-stage startup fund. Backed by its illustrious alumni network, the initiative aims to provide critical support to budding entrepreneurs from the IIT Madras ecosystem, propelling India’s innovation and startup landscape.
An Alumni-Driven Vision for Startups:
The fund, named the IITM Incubation Cell Alumni Fund, will specifically support startups incubated at the IIT Madras Incubation Cell (IITMIC). It is being spearheaded by IIT Madras’s global alumni and aims to back early-stage ventures that are built by students, faculty, and researchers associated with the institute.
So far, the initiative has received commitments from more than 25 alumni, most of whom are successful entrepreneurs or investors themselves. The total fund size is targeted at ₹200 crore (~$24 million), making it one of the largest alumni-led funds in India.
Focus on Deep Tech and Scalable Ventures:
The fund will primarily invest in sectors such as deep tech, climate tech, AI/ML, manufacturing, healthcare, and other scalable technologies that align with national interests. These sectors are also the core strengths of IIT Madras, which has long been recognized as a hub for technological innovation and research.
Startups selected under the fund will receive both financial and strategic support, including access to mentorship from seasoned alumni, industry connections, and a global network of investors.
Empowering IIT Madras’ Startup Ecosystem:
This alumni fund complements the growing momentum of IIT Madras as a startup cradle. The IITM Incubation Cell has already supported over 350 startups, including unicorns and high-growth ventures, and this new fund is expected to further accelerate their success by providing much-needed early-stage capital.
This model of alumni-led funding also sets a precedent for other institutions across India, highlighting how alumni can play a transformative role in shaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem of their alma mater.
