IIT Madras Launches ₹200 Crore Alumni VC Fund to Back DeepTech Startups


IIT Madras Launches ₹200 Crore Alumni VC Fund to Back DeepTech Startups




IIT Madras to Raise ₹200 Crore for First-Ever Alumni VC Fund Focused on DeepTech Startups

In a bold step to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem, IIT Madras has announced a ₹200 crore fundraising goal for its inaugural venture capital fund. The fund, named the IITM Alumni Fund, will focus on backing early-stage startups, especially in the deeptech and AI space, that originate from the institute's innovation ecosystem.

🔹 A Call to the Alumni Network

Speaking on July 5, IITM Director Prof. V. Kamakoti appealed to alumni and the wider investor community to participate in this landmark initiative. “Now is the time to give back. When you give, you get back,” he said, drawing inspiration from a Tamil proverb. His message emphasized that the fund is not just about financial returns—but about deepening alumni engagement while propelling India's innovation landscape forward.

🔹 Building on a Strong Legacy

The announcement follows IIT Madras’s impressive track record in incubating deeptech ventures. A prime example is Ather Energy, the electric scooter company that began in IITM’s labs and recently had a blockbuster IPO. The new fund aims to provide critical early-stage capital to startups like Ather, enabling them to scale and attract further investment.

🔹 Supporting Innovation at the Roots

Though detailed terms of the fund are yet to be revealed, early indications suggest broad participation—open to alumni and supporters worldwide who are eager to contribute to the next generation of Indian technological innovation.

Meanwhile, at a recent IITM startup event, three standout deeptech startups were chosen from a pool of over 250 applicants for special support:

  1. Folium Sensing – Offers fiber-optic sensing solutions for real-time monitoring of critical infrastructure.
  2. Q-axis Motors – Builds India’s first precision gimbals for defense, drone, and surveillance sectors.
  3. Zentor Medtech – Developed the world’s first solid-state laser technology for advanced eye surgery.

These startups are part of a growing ecosystem; over 500 startups have been nurtured within the IIT Madras Innovation Ecosystem over the past decade.


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