IIT Madras launches ‘Chennai Demo Day’

More than 100 technology start-ups from the IIT-M Incubation Cell, the IIT-M Centres of Excellence and the pre-incubators showcased their technology during this event at IIT-M Research Park.

“The IIT Madras Research Park is a non-profit company, started by IIT Madras but independent of IIT Madras and its objective is to enable innovation and interaction between academia and industry, which is the key,” said Ashok Jhunjhunwala, co-chairman, IITM incubation cell.

“The Research Park represents a symbol of maturing of the interaction between industry and academia in the country,” he said, adding, “Innovation happens when three sets of people come together - experienced industry person, a knowledgeable faculty and youngsters who do not know that it cannot be done.”

Stating that the facility now has around 80 companies that have set up their research and development units and are collaborating with the IIT faculty, he said, “Today, we have more than 50 faculty members who have set up their own start-ups through the IIT Madras Incubation Cell.”

“We will incubate 60 to 70 companies every year and will soon touch 100 companies every year,” he added.

According to him, the demo day is a first-of-its-kind event held at IIT-M campus, which witnessed the participation over 100 deep tech start-ups (incubated at IITM or from across Chennai) working to solve challenges faced by the country today.

He said Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) is also taking part and is showcasing the recently-launched Start-Up Policy of the State government.