New Delhi, February 15: Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh commended the consortium-driven innovation model at IIT Madras Research Park on Sunday, highlighting its role in swift technology commercialization. This approach, now being adopted by academic institutions nationwide, ensures research aligns with real-world needs from the outset.
During his visit to the Immersive Technology and Entrepreneurship Labs (ITEL) Foundation and advanced research facilities, Dr. Singh reviewed groundbreaking projects in urban mobility, space technology, medical devices, and brain research. ‘The consortium approach integrates industry partners early, guaranteeing innovations meet practical demands,’ he stated.
He emphasized how this integrated model accelerates the transformation of research outcomes into market-ready solutions. The ITEL Foundation, established in July 2024 as a not-for-profit Section 8 company with recognition from the Department of Science and Technology, aims to position India as a global technology leader by uniting academia, industry, and investors for deep-tech advancements.
A standout demonstration was the HASHTIC Mobility Initiative, proposing AI-enabled small electric vehicles on elevated tracks over existing roads to slash 15 km commutes to just 20 minutes, tackling urban traffic congestion head-on. Dr. Singh also examined Agnikul Cosmos, a private space startup incubated within the IIT Madras ecosystem.
Agnikul, developing flexible on-demand satellite launch vehicles, successfully completed its maiden mission in May 2024 with support from ISRO and IN-SPACe. The company is now gearing up for a commercial reusable rocket mission by year-end, underscoring the rising influence of private players in India’s space sector.
Dr. Singh’s endorsement signals a promising future for collaborative innovation, bridging the gap between labs and markets while fostering India’s technological self-reliance.