Indian Institute of Technology Madras Incubated Startups to Accelerate US Expansion

Five IIT Madras-Incubated Startups Gear Up for US Expansion

Five startups incubated at IIT Madras are on the cusp of expanding into the US market, driven by the desire to tap into emerging growth opportunities and tap into sectors like electric aviation, artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, and environmental infrastructure. The companies - The ePlane Company, Atri AI, Satori XR, Greenvironment.ai, and Zerowatt - are part of a new wave of deep-tech startups from the IIT Madras ecosystem that are now exploring partnerships, investor outreach, and local operations in the US.

The initiative is being supported by the IIT Madras Global Research Foundation, which is helping startups build connections in the US innovation ecosystem and engage with investors, customers, and state administrations. The startups were part of the recent SelectUSA Investment Summit, where they held discussions with investors, infrastructure operators, and industry executives as part of their expansion efforts.

Startups at the Forefront of US Expansion

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Among the companies drawing attention is The ePlane Company, which is developing an all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban mobility. The startup is initially targeting the air ambulance market before expanding into air taxis and cargo operations. It recently built its first ground-test prototype and is now working on a second aircraft that will be capable of flight testing and certification.

The company has an order commitment for 788 air ambulances worth over $1 billion from ICATT, an air ambulance operator. The startup expects commercial operations to begin by early 2028 and is planning eventual entry into the US market after completing certification milestones. Once established, the company intends to set up an assembly unit in the US.

Atri AI, another IIT Madras-incubated startup, has announced plans to establish its US headquarters in California as it looks to commercialise its edge-native artificial intelligence platform across transportation, infrastructure, and industrial sectors. The company plans to invest around $2 million over the next two to three years to build engineering, sales, and technical operations teams in the US.

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Satori XR has established its US headquarters in Michigan as it seeks to expand its AI-powered 3D enterprise solutions business in North America. The company plans to invest around $1.5 million in the US over the next five years and expects to create up to 25 jobs across engineering, enterprise sales, and deployment operations.

Greenvironment.ai, which develops AI- and IoT-driven systems for water and environmental infrastructure management, is also accelerating its US expansion plans. The company claims to have deployments across more than 400 sites in India spanning hospitality, healthcare, industrial, and utility sectors.

Zerowatt is targeting industrial customers looking to reduce energy costs and improve efficiency as manufacturers increasingly focus on decarbonisation and sustainability targets. The startup uses IoT and AI systems to monitor electricity, steam, water, and industrial processes in factories, helping manufacturers identify energy wastage and operational inefficiencies in real time.

The IIT Madras Global Research Foundation has a clear mandate to take the institute's research and innovation ecosystem global, focusing on four pillars: deep-tech and growth-stage startups, research and consultancy capabilities, intellectual property, and advanced certification and skilling programmes.