·  IIT Madras launches new School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to scale deep-tech startups.

·  Over 475 startups incubated with a combined valuation of Rs 50,000+ crore.

·  New academic programs and EIR initiative to boost research-led ventures.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has announced the establishment of a School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to take its already robust deep-tech startup ecosystem to a global best practice for innovation.

This step further positions IIT Madras as India's largest deep-tech startup ecosystem with more than 475 startups incubated, a cumulative valuation in excess of Rs 50,000 crore (~USD 6 billion), and the development of 11,000+ jobs. The ecosystem has also raised more than Rs 12,000 crore in funding and filed 700+ patents, demonstrating the institute's significant contribution to the innovation ecosystem of India.

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The new School will offer a variety of academic programmes including:

• Minor in Entrepreneurship
• MS in Entrepreneurship
• PhD and Industry-led Innovation Doctorate

Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) is one of the flagship programmes, specially designed for professionals who are returning to academia to start up ventures. In order to drive innovation even more, the School will also grant early-stage funding, scaling support, as well as IP clinics to safeguard breakthrough technologies.

This program will operate under the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, which is headed by Prof. Anbarasu Manivannan, who views it as a game-changer in global entrepreneurship education.

The launch capitalizes on IIT Madras' strong innovation ecosystem with:

• Centre for Innovation (CFI) – India's largest student-run maker space
• Nirmaan Pre-Incubator – Sponsor of success stories such as GalaxEye Space
• Tech-Soc and E-Cell – Student innovation platforms

Support is also provided by the Gopalakrishnan Deshpande Centre (GDC) and RuTAG Cell, both for research-to-market and rural innovations respectively.

With this new school, IIT Madras will create the next crop of deep-tech entrepreneurs from India.