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IIT Madras Global launches $7.5M Silicon Valley hub
The new California center is aimed at helping Indian deep-tech startups access global capital, mentorship, and Silicon Valley partnerships.
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Malvika Choudhary - Sat, 16, May 2026
- 17:39 EDT
- 46
Glimpse of the event / IIT Madras
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras Global Research Foundation (IITM Global) has announced the establishment of its first U.S. center in Menlo Park, California, with a planned investment of $7.5 million, including a $4.5 million greenfield investment from IITM Global.
The announcement was made at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, a U.S. federal government initiative that promotes business investment into the United States.
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IITM Global said the center, launched on April 24 in partnership with CA Startups, marks a major step in expanding India’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem into global markets and technology hubs. Located near Silicon Valley, the facility is expected to serve as a platform for Indian startups seeking access to international investors, markets, mentorship, and industry 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,” said Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras and Chairman of IITM Global.
On May 14, Consul General @srikar_koppula delivered Guest of Honor remarks at the premiere of the IIT Madras Global Startup initiative held at the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University, drawing attention to the deepening #India-U.S. partnership in education,… pic.twitter.com/8eAtNHgkAm
— India in San Francisco (@CGISFO) May 16, 2026
“The Menlo Park center will enable deeper collaboration with global industry leaders, academia, and venture ecosystems, fostering cutting-edge innovation and talent exchange,” he added.
The center will focus on deep-tech research, commercialization, startup incubation, and venture engagement, according to IITM Global. The organization also announced plans to establish a second center on the U.S. East Coast to expand ties with policy, financial, and academic ecosystems.
“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.”
Preeti Aghalayam, dean of Global Engagement at IIT Madras and director of IITM Global, said the initiative would create “a seamless global innovation corridor” for students, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
“The Menlo Park center, enabled through our partnership with CA Startups, is a strategic anchor for IITM Global’s U.S. operations,” said Thirumalai Madhavnarayan, CEO and director of IITM Global. “With a focused investment approach, we aim to build a platform that accelerates deep-tech ventures from lab to global markets, while also attracting global innovation into India.”
The announcement comes amid growing India-U.S. collaboration in technology and innovation ecosystems.
On May 14, India’s Consulate General in San Francisco said Consul General Srikar Reddy Koppula delivered guest remarks at the premiere of the IIT Madras Global Startup initiative held at the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University.
According to the Consulate, Koppula highlighted India’s expanding startup ecosystem and described the India-U.S. partnership in education, innovation, and technology as “one of the most consequential of our time.” The event brought together investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and academic representatives from both countries.
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