Chennai: IIT Madras Global, the international outreach arm of IIT Madras, has joined hands with Ideabaaz, India's first media-integrated startup platform, to strengthen the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem beyond metros.

The initiative aims to bridge the urban-rural innovation divide by supporting startups from Tier 2 and 3 cities and helping them scale from seed stage to unicorn to IPO.

As the Knowledge and Research Partner, IIT Madras Global will provide deep-tech expertise through 13 faculty members, who will serve as mentors and jury members on the platform. “This partnership will foster inclusive innovation and empower grassroots entrepreneurship by linking local ingenuity with global opportunities,” said Thirumalai Madhavnarayan, CEO of IIT Madras Global.

Launched as a digital and television-based platform, Ideabaaz connects startups with funding, mentorship, investor matchmaking, business services, and global market access. Its Season 1 TV show is broadcasting 26 episodes nationwide through Zee Network and OTT platforms, covering 78 startups and reaching more than 200 million households. A grassroots innovation fair, Ideabaaz Expo and Dangal, will also showcase rural entrepreneurs and connect 100 top startups with over 1,000 global investors.

Ideabaaz founders Jeet Wagh and Mudit Kumar said the collaboration with IIT Madras Global would democratize entrepreneurship by making innovation aspirational and accessible across Bharat.

Through this alliance, IIT Madras Global and Ideabaaz aim to create a sustainable national startup movement, positioning the initiative as the “Y Combinator of India.”