IIT Madras Says 25% of 567 Incubated Startups Have Women Co-Founders
Updated
Updated · The Hindu · May 16
IIT Madras Says 25% of 567 Incubated Startups Have Women Co-Founders
2 articles · Updated · The Hindu · May 16
25% of the 567 startups incubated under IIT Madras’ “100 Startups a Year” mission have women co-founders, a share the incubation cell said has stayed above that level for two straight years.
112 startups were selected in FY26 from more than 1,200 applications, with women founders active across healthtech, biotech, AI, sustainability and agritech as the portfolio shifts toward more revenue-generating and externally funded ventures.
₹20 crore-plus in grants was released over the last two financial years to 100 early-stage startups, typically ₹15-20 lakh each, while several FY2024-25 companies have already raised angel or venture funding.
Six startups from the FY2024-25 cohort have paused or are winding down, mainly because of co-founder conflicts or failure to find product-market fit.
Nearly 60% of the 567-plus founders are external entrepreneurs rather than IIT alumni, giving the IIT Madras ecosystem a broader pan-India footprint as it tries to sustain incubating 100-plus startups a year.
As India’s women founders face funding bias, how does IIT Madras ensure 25% of its deep-tech startups have female co-founders?
IIT Madras has two unicorns, but startups still fail. What is its secret for building market-ready deep-tech ventures?
Breaking Barriers: IIT Madras’s 104-Startup Milestone Sets New Standard for Deep-Tech and Women’s Inclusion in India
Overview
The "100 Startups a Year" initiative at IIT Madras continues to drive deep-tech entrepreneurship, but recent results show that six startups from the FY24-25 batch have paused or are winding down due to co-founder incompatibility and challenges in achieving product-market fit. These setbacks highlight the real risks and complexities of building startups, even within a strong support system. However, these experiences provide valuable lessons for improving the incubation program, helping IIT Madras refine its approach and strengthen its position as a leading hub for inclusive and impactful entrepreneurship in India.