Indian Institute of Technology Madras Global Research Foundation has launched its first center in the United States with a planned investment of $7.5 million to expand India’s deep-tech innovation footprint into global ecosystems.
In what is widely seen as a pioneering step among Indian Institutes of Technology, the initiative reflects a strategic shift toward taking Indian research, startups, and emerging technologies directly to global markets and innovation hubs.
Located in Menlo Park, California, the West Coast center has been established in partnership with CA Startups, underscoring a strong collaborative foundation for IITM Global’s U.S. expansion, according to a media release.
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Announcing the Park Centre at the recent SelectUSA Investment Summit, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras and Chairman of IITM Global, said, “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 center will enable deeper collaboration with global industry leaders, academia, and venture ecosystems, fostering cutting-edge innovation and talent exchange.”
The center 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 launchpad for Indian deep-tech startups to access global capital, markets, mentorship, and partnerships.
“Our West Coast presence positions us at the heart of global technology innovation,” said Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Director of IITM Global. “This center will catalyze translational research, scale deep-tech startups, and build enduring partnerships that bridge India and the United States.”
The Menlo Park center will focus on advancing deep-tech research and commercialization, while also serving as a hub for startup incubation and global market access, according to the release.
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It aims to strengthen industry–academia partnerships and enable venture engagement to support the scale-up of high-potential innovations.
A planned East Coast center will complement these efforts by connecting with leading policy, financial, and academic ecosystems, creating a more comprehensive U.S. presence.
In parallel, IITM Global has also announced plans to establish a second center on the U.S. East Coast, further strengthening its presence across key innovation corridors.
The IITM Global Research Foundation is the international arm of Indian Institute of Technology Madras, dedicated to advancing global research collaborations, fostering innovation, and enabling Indian deep-tech startups to scale internationally.