The total investment for this centre will be US$7.5 million, including a greenfield investment of US$4.5 million from IITM Global.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras Global Research Foundation has set up its first centre in the United States, located in Menlo Park, California.
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 total investment for this centre will be 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 main highlight of Menlo Park Centre will be on advancing deep-tech research and commercialisation, while also serving as a hub for startup incubation and global market access.
The agenda is 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.
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.
