International arm of IIT Madras establishes US Centre to enable Indian deep-tech start ups scale globally

The international arm of Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) - Indian Institute of Technology Madras Global Research Foundation – has announced the establishment of its first centre in the United States, in Menlo Park, California  to advance global research collaborations, foster innovation, and enable Indian deep-tech start ups to scale internationally.

The centre will be developed with a total planned investment of $ 7.5 million, including a greenfield investment of $ 4.5 million from IITM Global. Strategically located near Silicon Valley, it is envisioned as a launch pad for Indian deep-tech start ups to access global capital, markets, mentorship, and partnerships.

“This expansion into the United States represents a natural progression of IIT Madras’ vision to take Indian research and innovation to the global stage. The Menlo Park centre will enable deeper collaboration with global industry leaders, academia, and venture ecosystems, fostering cutting-edge innovation and talent exchange”, V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras and Chairman of IITM Global, said.

The Menlo Park centre will focus on advancing deep-tech research and commercialization, while also serving as a hub for startup incubation and global market access. It is also expected to strengthen industry–academia partnerships and enable venture engagement to support the scale-up of high-potential innovations.

 “Our West Coast presence positions us at the heart of global technology innovation. This center will catalyze translational research, scale deep-tech startups, and build enduring partnerships that bridge India and the United States”, Further, talking about the center, Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Director of IITM Global, says.

The centre has been established in partnership with CA Startups, underscoring a strong collaborative foundation for IITM Global’s U.S. expansion.

 “This initiative is about creating a seamless global innovation corridor. It will empower students, researchers, and entrepreneurs to engage meaningfully with international ecosystems, enhancing both impact and opportunity”, Preeti Aghalayam, Dean (Global Engagement) IIT Madras and also a Director of IITM Global, said.

In parallel, IITM Global also has plans to establish a second centre on the U.S. East Coast, further strengthening its presence across key innovation corridors. The planned East Coast centre is expected to complement the efforts by connecting with leading policy, financial, and academic ecosystems, creating a more comprehensive U.S. presence.

The IITM’s move is widely seen as a pioneering step among Indian Institutes of Technology, reflecting a strategic shift toward taking Indian research, startups, and emerging technologies directly to global markets and innovation hubs.