IIT Bombay and Groww Foundation Announce Landmark Collaboration to Advance Deep-Tech Innovation and Student Entrepreneurship
IIT Bombay today announced a landmark partnership with Groww Foundation, aimed at accelerating deep-tech innovation and enhancing India's translational research ecosystem. The collaboration is set to introduce a multi-component initiative that empowers student innovators, supports the development of functional prototypes, and fosters a seamless pathway for taking breakthrough academic ideas into real- world applications.
The initiative will be anchored within the Desai Sethi School of Entrepreneurship (DSSE) at IIT Bombay, leveraging its dynamic ecosystem to provide early-stage teams with the infrastructure, mentorship, and structured evaluation systems.
Speaking about the collaboration, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, said, "This partnership with Groww Foundation represents a significant step in strengthening India's deep-tech innovation pipeline. By bringing together structured programs and a dedicated innovation space, we are creating a comprehensive pathway for students to translate ideas into solutions. This collaboration reinforces IIT Bombay's commitment to nurturing technologically skilled and socially conscious innovators.”
A cornerstone of this collaboration is the Groww Innovation Space — a state-of- the-art 15,000 sq. ft. facility located in the DSSE building. Complementing this physical hub is the launch of an annual Grand Challenge that will invite interdisciplinary teams of students, researchers, and faculty to develop breakthrough solutions in key focus areas, including holistic education, sustainable livelihood, healthcare, and women’s empowerment, among others.
Kalpana Swaminathan, Head of Groww Foundation, said, “At Groww, we believe that innovation rooted in technology and research-driven entrepreneurship is the key to shaping India’s future. Our partnership with IIT Bombay’s DSSE is designed to unlock the full potential of aspiring student innovators by providing them with the resources and mentorship needed to transform bold ideas into impactful ventures. Together, we aim to build a thriving ecosystem that not only nurtures deep-tech solutions but also contributes to sustainable and inclusive growth across multiple sectors.”
Over a period of four years, student-faculty teams will receive funding and sustained guidance from faculty and mentors, with high-performing interdisciplinary student teams gaining potential access to support for incubation. The program will provide development support to approximately 100 teams each year as part of their entrepreneurship and capstone coursework, enabling nearly 400 teams over four years to build, test, and refine their solutions.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing India’s technology innovation landscape and fostering a new generation of entrepreneurially minded technologists committed to sustainably building for the future.
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