IIT Madras Announces $7.5 Mn Silicon Valley Deep-tech Hub
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Indian Institute of Technology Madras Global Research Foundation announced the establishment of its first center in the United States, located in Menlo Park, California, on 6th May 2026, marking a significant milestone in expanding India’s deep-tech innovation footprint into global ecosystems. The announcement was made at the SelectUSA Investment Summit.
In what is widely seen as a pioneering step among Indian Institutes of Technology, the initiative reflects a strategic shift toward taking Indian research, startups, and emerging technologies directly to global markets and innovation hubs.
The West Coast center was launched on 24th April 2026 and has been established in partnership with CA Startups, underscoring a strong collaborative foundation for IITM Global’s U.S. expansion.
Speaking about the Park Centre, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras and Chairman of IITM Global, said, “This expansion into the United States represents a natural progression of IIT Madras’ vision to take Indian research and innovation to the global stage. The Menlo Park center will enable deeper collaboration with global industry leaders, academia, and venture ecosystems, fostering cutting-edge innovation and talent exchange.”
The center will be developed with a total planned investment of US$ 7.5 million, including a greenfield investment of US$ 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.
Further, talking about the center, Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Director of IITM Global, added, “Our West Coast presence positions us at the heart of global technology innovation. This center will catalyze translational research, scale deep-tech startups, and build enduring partnerships that bridge India and the United States.”
Prof. Preeti Aghalayam, Dean (Global Engagement) IIT Madras and also a Director of IITM Global, said, “This initiative is about creating a seamless global innovation corridor. It will empower students, researchers, and entrepreneurs to engage meaningfully with international ecosystems, enhancing both impact and opportunity.”
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. 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.
Mr. Thirumalai Madhavnarayan, CEO and Director of IITM Global, noted, “The Menlo Park center, enabled through our partnership with CA Startups, is a strategic anchor for IITM Global’s U.S. operations. 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.”
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.
SelectUSA is the federal program charged with promoting and facilitating business investment into the United States. The SelectUSA Investment Summit is the 4-day event that promotes the United States as a premier investment destination, connecting multinational companies with U.S. economic development organizations to facilitate business investment and job creation.
