The Indian Institute of Technology Madras Global Research Foundation (IITM Global) has announced the establishment of its first centre in the United States, marking a major step in expanding India’s deep-tech innovation footprint into global ecosystems. Located in Menlo Park, California, the centre was unveiled during the SelectUSA Investment Summit.
Seen as a pioneering move among Indian Institutes of Technology, the initiative signals a strategic push to take Indian research, startups and emerging technologies directly into global innovation and investment networks.
The West Coast centre, launched on April 24, 2026, has been set up in partnership with CA Startups, laying the foundation for IITM Global’s expansion into the US innovation ecosystem.
$7.5 million investment planned
Speaking on the development, IIT Madras Director and Chairman of IITM Global, Prof. V. Kamakoti, 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 centre will enable deeper collaboration with global industry leaders, academia and venture ecosystems, fostering cutting-edge innovation and talent exchange.”
The centre will be developed with a total planned investment of $7.5 million, including a greenfield investment of $4.5 million from IITM Global. Strategically located near Silicon Valley, the facility is expected to serve as a launchpad for Indian deep-tech startups seeking access to global capital, markets, mentorship and strategic partnerships.
Focus on research and startup scale-up
IITM Global Director Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy said the West Coast presence would position the institution at the centre of global technology innovation.
“This centre will catalyse translational research, scale deep-tech startups, and build enduring partnerships that bridge India and the United States,” he added.
IIT Madras Dean (Global Engagement) and Director of IITM Global Prof. Preeti Aghalayam, said the initiative would help create a seamless global innovation corridor.
“It will empower students, researchers and entrepreneurs to engage meaningfully with international ecosystems, enhancing both impact and opportunity,” she noted.
The Menlo Park centre will focus on advancing deep-tech research and commercialization while also acting as a hub for startup incubation and global market access. It aims to strengthen industry-academia partnerships and expand venture capital engagement to support the scale-up of high-potential innovations.
East Coast expansion also planned
In parallel, IITM Global has also announced plans to establish a second centre on the US East Coast, further strengthening its presence across key American innovation corridors. The proposed East Coast facility is expected to connect with leading policy, financial and academic ecosystems, complementing the work of the Silicon Valley hub.
SelectUSA is the US federal programme responsible for promoting and facilitating business investment into the country. Its annual four-day Investment Summit connects multinational companies with economic development organisations across the United States to drive investment and job creation.