IIT Madras, Ideabaaz join hands to support tier 2, 3 city startups

The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras) has joined hands with ‘Ideabaaz’, a media-integrated startup platform to boost tier 2 and 3 cities entrepreneurs. The collaboration will also enhance India’s startup ecosystem with inclusivity, visibility, and accessibility to remote areas.

The partnership between IIT Madras and Ideabaaz will work towards bridging the gap of urban-rural innovation and empower founders to take their ideas from seed to unicorn to IPO, according to the official statement.

Notably, thirteen IIT Madras faculty members will serve as mentors and jury members to guide entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

Ideabaaz platform works towards connection of startups with funding, mentorships, investor matchmaking, masterclasses, business services, and global market access.

Also read IIT BHU launches Startup Incubation Programme; Rs 20 lakh to technopreneurs

'Y Combinator of India'

Thirumalai Madhavnarayan, CEO, IIT Madras Global, said: “IIT Madras Global, as the Knowledge Partner of IDEABAAZ, is powering a transformative platform designed to foster inclusive innovation and empower grassroots entrepreneurship, bridging local ingenuity with global opportunities that create lasting social and economic impact.”

Jeet Wagh, founder and CEO of Ideabaaz, said: “With Ideabaaz, our aim is to democratize entrepreneurship and show that innovation can come from anywhere – whether it’s a metro, a Tier 2 city, or the smallest town in India.”

“With IIT Madras Global joining us, their trust and expertise lend immense credibility to this mission – giving entrepreneurs across Bharat access to cross-border visibility, cutting-edge innovation, world-class mentorship, and global capital,” Wagh added.

In addition, both the bodies will build a sustainable national movement and position itself as the ‘Y Combinator of India.’

Ideabaaz will boost India’s startup ecosystem with energy, opportunity, and global connections. Hence creating jobs, building unicorns, and putting Indian innovation on the world stage, the official press release said.