IIT Madras (Indian Institute of Technology Madras) has unveiled plans to launch a Rs 200 crore VC (Venture Capital) fund aimed at nurturing early-stage startups. The initiative was announced at Sangam 2025, the institute’s flagship innovation and alumni summit, recently held in Bengaluru.
Named the IITM Alumni Fund, this dedicated VC vehicle will prioritize pre-Series A and Series A investments, with a special focus on deep-tech ventures. The goal is to empower startups emerging from IIT Madras’ robust ecosystem and support India’s growing innovation momentum.
IIT Madras VC fund
The new fund will function as an independent legal entity, guided by strong governance frameworks and due diligence mechanisms typical of private venture capital firms. Most of the fund is expected to come from alumni and high-net-worth supporters.
“We want to raise Rs 200 crore in our first fund through alumni contributions,” said Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras. He emphasized the institute’s vision of launching 100 deep-tech startups annually as part of its Startup Shatam mission.
Strong Incubation Legacy
IIT Madras has already incubated over 500 startups, with a combined valuation exceeding Rs 50,000 crore ($6 billion). Its startup ecosystem includes specialized verticals like the Pravartak Technologies Foundation and CESSA (Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics).
These programs offer not just capital but also mentorship, research infrastructure, and operational guidance. The institute generally invests up to Rs 5 crore per startup in exchange for equity, helping young companies scale faster.
Summit Sparks Innovation
Held on July 4–5, the Sangam 2025 summit welcomed over 500 attendees, comprising faculty, alumni, investors, and students. Keynote speakers included OpenAI’s Srinivas Narayanan and Microsoft’s Aparna Chennapragada, both IITM alumni, who highlighted the growing role of AI in deep-tech ventures.
The summit also featured a high-energy pitch fest where 20 startups showcased their ideas to over 250 investors. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the gathering, confirming the government’s continued push for deep-tech through fresh funds and flexible capital mechanisms.
How Biz Bracket is Helping Startups
In parallel, platforms like Biz Bracket are complementing initiatives like IIT Madras’ fund by offering media visibility, warm investor connections, and startup tools. Through its program and highlighting strategy, Biz Bracket supports high-potential startups with direct-to-media access which is critical during pre-Series A phases.
By combining capital support from IITs and storytelling platforms like Biz Bracket, Indian startups are increasingly positioned to go global. These dual support mechanisms are essential in transforming early-stage innovations into high-impact ventures.
