IIT Madras to launch Rs 200 crore VC fund to back early-stage startups

IIT Madras is creating a ₹200 crore venture capital fund to support startups from the institute, announced Director Prof. V. Kamakoti at the Sangam 2025 alumni event. 

Called the IITM Alumni Fund, it’s the first effort in India where alumni money will directly support startups connected to the institute.

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“We aim to raise Rs 200 Cr in our first fund through alumni contributions. This is an opportunity for our community to back strong startups and grow together. It also supports our vision of launching 100 deeptech startups every year under the Startup Shatam programme,” said IIT Madras director V Kamakoti.

The fund will support early-stage startups founded by IIT Madras students, faculty, and alumni, with contributions expected from the global IITM alumni network. Director Kamakoti described it as a way of “giving back to the giver,” offering both impact and financial returns.

Though detailed plans are still pending, the goal is ambitious: by 2032, the institute hopes to see one startup from its ecosystem go public every month. A faculty member added that this is likely the first VC fund by an Indian academic institution focused solely on its own startup community.

The announcement comes as IIT Madras is being recognized as one of India’s top academic incubators, known for producing deeptech startups in electric mobility, AI, and space tech. This new fund aims to formalize and grow that startup pipeline using support and capital from its alumni network.

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