IIT Madras Global, established to accelerate IIT Madras’ efforts to shape the global deep-technology innovation landscape, has become the Knowledge and Research Partner for ‘Ideabaaz’ – the country’s first media-integrated startup platform.
The objective is to fuel India’s startup ecosystem with inclusivity, visibility, and access by taking the start-up ecosystem to Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities. This initiative aims to bridge India’s urban–rural innovation divide and empower founders to take their ideas from seed to unicorn to IPO.
As the Knowledge and Research Partner, IIT Madras Global – the strategic international arm of IIT Madras – will bring deep-tech expertise and academic depth to the platform. Thirteen distinguished IIT Madras faculty members will serve as mentors and jury members, guiding entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. Ideabaaz is a digital platform and a first-of-its-kind hub connecting startups with funding, mentorship, investor matchmaking, masterclasses, business services, and global market access.
Highlighting the unique aspects of this initiative, Mr. 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.”
Mr. Jeet Wagh, Founder & CEO – Ideabaaz, added, “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. By telling these stories in every Indian language, we want to prove that dreams have no boundaries, and neither should opportunities. 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.”
Further, Mr. Mudit Kumar, Co-founder & COO – Ideabaaz, said, “Today, technology and Innovation are ushering in a new era of inclusivity! And that’s where our vision of inclusivity at Ideabaaz and the deeptech expertise of IIT Madras Global converge to create an impactful ecosystem to empower our startup community. This partnership, which aims to bring innovation and its high-impact applications rooted in our Bharat realities, has the potential to transform lives and create a huge societal impact.”
Complementing the platform are two powerful extensions:
Ø The Ideabaaz TV Show – In Season 1, 26 episodes are being broadcast nationwide on Zee Network and leading OTT platforms, reaching over 200 million households. The series will feature 78 startups and grassroots innovators, inspiring millions and making entrepreneurship aspirational for all.
Ø The Ideabaaz Expo and Dangal – a grassroots innovation fair and live Demo Day, where rural entrepreneurs pitch ideas at village-level forums. The best innovations will be mentored, funded, and showcased nationally. The Expo will connect 100 top startups with more than 1,000 global investors.
Through this integrated approach, Ideabaaz and IIT Madras Global aims to build a sustainable national movement and position itself as the ‘Y Combinator of India.’
By blending television, digital, and grassroots outreach, Ideabaaz will fuel India’s startup ecosystem with energy, opportunity, and global connections — creating jobs, building unicorns, and putting Indian innovation on the world stage.
