This move aligns with India’s growing focus on indigenous technology development, self-reliance, and the creation of industry-ready talent for the digital economy.

A New Hub for IoT Innovation

The newly inaugurated IoT centre, housed within the School of Computing at SRMIST, is designed to act as a multi-disciplinary innovation hub. It brings together students, researchers, and industry experts to work on real-world challenges in connected technologies.

The centre focuses on:

Strategic Collaboration with CDAC Bengaluru

The collaboration with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing adds significant value to the initiative. CDAC is a premier R&D organization under the Government of India, known for its expertise in advanced computing, embedded technologies, and digital innovation.

According to CDAC representatives, the partnership introduces indigenously designed systems and kits, covering both hardware and software aspects. This allows students and researchers to gain hands-on experience in building solutions from scratch—something that is crucial for deep-tech innovation.

The collaboration also includes:

• Mentorship for students and faculty
• Support for product development
• Focus on IoT security and embedded AI
• Exposure to indigenous processor technologies

Focus on Indigenous Technology Development

One of the most important aspects of this initiative is its emphasis on self-reliance in technology. As global supply chains evolve, countries like India are prioritizing the development of locally designed and manufactured technologies.

The SRMIST-CDAC IoT Centre aims to contribute by:

• Encouraging indigenous hardware innovation
• Promoting secure and scalable IoT solutions
• Supporting research in edge computing
• Building expertise in embedded AI systems

This aligns with national initiatives such as Make in India and Digital India, which emphasize technological independence and innovation.

Building a Centre of Excellence

SRMIST leadership has highlighted the long-term vision of transforming this facility into a Centre of Excellence (CoE). However, achieving this status will depend on tangible outcomes such as:

• Development of real-world applications
• Industry collaborations
• Research publications and patents
• Student-led innovation projects

The institution is placing strong emphasis on application-oriented research, ensuring that ideas move beyond theory into deployable solutions.

Hands-On Learning and Skill Development

Unlike traditional academic labs, the IoT Centre is designed to provide practical, hands-on experience. It will host:

• Boot camps
• Management Development Programmes (MDPs)
• Industry-led workshops
• Prototype development sessions

These initiatives aim to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements, helping students become job-ready.

Students will also be encouraged to:

• Build Minimum Viable Products (MVPs)
• Work on interdisciplinary projects
• Collaborate with industry experts
• Participate in innovation challenges

This experiential learning approach is crucial in fields like IoT, where real-world application is key.

Why IoT Matters Today

The Internet of Things is transforming multiple industries, making it one of the most important technological domains today. Its applications include:

• Smart Cities
• Healthcare Monitoring Systems
• Industrial Automation
• Agriculture Technology
• Defence Systems
• Consumer Electronics

By integrating IoT with AI and edge computing, industries are moving toward more efficient, intelligent, and automated systems.

The SRMIST-CDAC initiative ensures that students are equipped to contribute to these evolving sectors.

Strengthening India’s Tech Ecosystem

The launch of this centre is not just an institutional milestone but also a contribution to India’s broader innovation ecosystem. With increasing demand for skilled professionals in IoT and embedded systems, such initiatives play a crucial role in:

• Developing industry-ready talent
• Encouraging startup innovation
• Promoting research and development
• Supporting national technology goals

SRMIST has already been active in fostering innovation, and this new centre further strengthens its position as a key player in deep-tech education and research.

Future Opportunities for Students

Students at SRMIST can expect a wide range of opportunities through this centre, including:

• Exposure to real-world IoT projects
• Internship and placement opportunities
• Collaboration with industry and research organizations
• Access to advanced tools and technologies

This initiative will not only enhance their technical skills but also improve their career prospects in high-demand tech domains.

Conclusion

The launch of the Centre for Internet of Things at SRMIST, in collaboration with CDAC Bengaluru, marks a major step forward in India’s journey toward technological self-reliance and innovation. By focusing on cutting-edge domains like IoT, embedded systems, and edge AI, the centre is set to create a strong foundation for future-ready engineers.

With its emphasis on hands-on learning, industry collaboration, and indigenous development, the initiative has the potential to evolve into a leading Centre of Excellence and contribute significantly to India’s digital transformation.

FAQs

1. What is the purpose of the IoT Centre at SRMIST?

The centre aims to promote research, innovation, and skill development in IoT, embedded systems, edge AI, and cybersecurity while preparing students for industry roles.

2. Who is SRMIST collaborating with for this initiative?

SRMIST has partnered with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) Bengaluru to establish and develop the IoT Centre.

3. What opportunities will students get from this centre?

Students will gain hands-on experience, participate in training programs, build prototypes, and work on real-world projects with industry mentorship.

4. Why is indigenous technology development important?

Indigenous development reduces dependency on imports, strengthens national security, and promotes innovation within the country.

5. What industries benefit from IoT technology?

IoT is widely used in smart cities, healthcare, agriculture, industrial automation, defence, and consumer electronics.

This achievement is not just about numbers. It reflects a deeper transformation in how academic institutions in India are evolving into engines of entrepreneurship, research commercialization, and global innovation leadership.

A Landmark Year for Startup Growth

The Startup Shatam mission, launched to incubate 100 startups annually, has proven to be a resounding success. With 112 startups incubated in FY26, IIT Madras has gone beyond its target, reinforcing its position as a leader in deep-tech entrepreneurship.

Through its nodal incubator, the IITM Incubation Cell, the institute now supports a portfolio of 567 startups. These ventures collectively hold a valuation exceeding Rs 74,100 crore (approximately $8 billion), based on recent funding rounds.

Expansion Beyond Campus Boundaries

One of the most striking aspects of IIT Madras’ startup ecosystem is its inclusivity. More than 60% of the startups incubated in FY26 were founded by external entrepreneurs from across India.

This aligns with the institute’s “IITM for All” vision, which aims to democratize access to innovation infrastructure. By opening its incubation ecosystem to non-IIT founders, IIT Madras is playing a crucial role in nurturing talent nationwide.

The diversity of founders has also contributed to a broader range of ideas, innovations, and scalable business models emerging from the ecosystem.

Deep-Tech Focus Across Multiple Sectors

The startups incubated at IIT Madras are not limited to conventional sectors. Instead, they span a wide spectrum of cutting-edge domains, including:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
• Robotics and autonomous systems
• Automotive and electric mobility
• Battery technologies and energy storage
• Aerospace and defence
• Quantum technologies
• Fintech and analytics
• Healthtech and biotechnology
• Agritech and climate technologies
• Internet of Things (IoT) and cyber-physical systems

This deep-tech orientation sets IIT Madras apart from many other incubators, positioning it as a hub for high-impact, research-driven innovation.

Milestones That Define Maturity

FY26 was not just about growth—it was also about maturity. The IIT Madras startup ecosystem crossed the 500-startup mark in its 13th year, signaling sustained long-term success.

A major highlight was the IPO of Ather Energy, which became the first public listing from the IITM Incubation Cell portfolio. This milestone demonstrates that startups from the ecosystem are not only being created but are also scaling successfully to reach public markets.

Additionally, the ecosystem now includes two unicorns and several successful mergers and acquisitions. These outcomes reflect increasing investor confidence and the ability of IIT Madras startups to compete globally.

Strong Patent Pipeline Drives Innovation

Parallel to its startup success, IIT Madras has maintained a robust intellectual property pipeline. In FY 2025–26, the institute filed 431 patents, continuing an upward trend:

• 378 patents in 2023–24
• 419 patents in 2024–25
• 431 patents in 2025–26

Out of the 431 patents filed this year, 352 were Indian patents and 79 were international filings.

This steady growth underscores the institute’s commitment to protecting and commercializing innovation.

Focus Areas of Patent Innovation

The patents filed by IIT Madras reflect strong research activity in several advanced technology areas:

• AI and Machine Learning
• Quantum computing
• Semiconductors and electronics
• 5G and emerging 6G technologies
• Robotics and automation
• Sustainable energy systems
• Photonics and advanced materials
• Blockchain and AR/VR
• Biomedical imaging

These focus areas align closely with global technological trends, ensuring that IIT Madras remains relevant on the international stage.

Leadership Insights

According to V. Kamakoti, the institute’s achievements are rooted in a deeply embedded culture of innovation. He emphasized that students, faculty, alumni, and external entrepreneurs are collectively building solutions that can impact both India and the world.

Meanwhile, Manu Santhanam highlighted the importance of a strong intellectual property ecosystem. IIT Madras has developed an end-to-end IP support system that assists researchers from idea generation to patent filing and commercialization.

The Technology Transfer Office plays a key role in ensuring that innovations are not confined to laboratories but are translated into market-ready solutions.

How IIT Madras Supports Innovation

The success of IIT Madras lies in its structured approach to innovation:

1. Idea Generation: Encouraging research and problem-solving
2. IP Support: Helping with disclosures, prior-art checks, and patent filing
3. Incubation: Providing funding, mentorship, and infrastructure
4. Commercialization: Assisting startups in scaling and entering markets

This end-to-end model ensures that ideas are nurtured at every stage, significantly increasing their chances of success.

Recognition and Community Building

The milestone celebrations were organized by multiple bodies within IIT Madras, including the IP Management Cell and the Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research.

The event featured keynote talks, expert discussions, and recognition of top innovators through the JC Bose Awards. Such initiatives help foster a culture of collaboration, recognition, and continuous innovation.

Why This Matters for India

IIT Madras’ achievements go beyond institutional success—they signal a shift in India’s innovation landscape.

Traditionally, universities were seen primarily as centers of education. However, IIT Madras has redefined this role by becoming a full-scale innovation engine that:

• Generates high-value startups
• Produces globally relevant patents
• Attracts investors and industry partnerships
• Supports deep-tech commercialization

With a startup portfolio worth over Rs 74,100 crore and a strong pipeline of innovations, IIT Madras is playing a critical role in shaping India’s position in the global technology ecosystem.

The Road Ahead

As noted by Tamaswati Ghosh, FY25 focused on quantity, while FY26 emphasized quality and deeper technological impact.

The ecosystem is now witnessing:

• Increased investor interest
• More revenue-generating startups
• Growth in serial entrepreneurs
• Stronger industry collaborations

Looking ahead, IIT Madras is well-positioned to produce the next wave of unicorns, IPO-bound companies, and breakthrough technologies.

Conclusion

The achievements of IIT Madras in FY 2025–26 highlight the power of combining research, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property. By incubating over 100 startups and filing more than 400 patents, the institute has set a benchmark for innovation-driven growth in India.

As the ecosystem continues to expand and mature, IIT Madras is not just creating startups—it is shaping the future of technology, industry, and economic growth in India.

FAQs

1. What is the Startup Shatam mission at IIT Madras?

Startup Shatam is an initiative by IIT Madras aimed at incubating 100 startups every year, focusing on deep-tech innovation and scalable business models.

2. How many startups does IIT Madras currently support?

As of FY 2025–26, IIT Madras supports 567 startups through its incubation ecosystem.

3. What is the total valuation of IIT Madras startups?

The combined valuation of startups incubated at IIT Madras exceeds Rs 74,100 crore (around $8 billion).

4. How many patents did IIT Madras file in FY26?

IIT Madras filed 431 patents in FY 2025–26, including both Indian and international filings.

5. Can non-IIT entrepreneurs access IIT Madras incubation support?

Yes, more than 60% of startups incubated in FY26 were founded by external entrepreneurs, reflecting IIT Madras’ inclusive “IITM for All” vision.