The course “Innovation and Entrepreneurship – A Multi-disciplinary Approach” is designed to foster entrepreneurial thinking and innovation across disciplines, aiming to cultivate an entrepreneurial culture at the departmental, institutional, and national levels. The teachers are Prof. T. Pradeep, Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal, Prof. Thillai Rajan, Mr. Krishnan Narayanan (former president, IIT Madras Alumni Association) and guest lecturers from industry, academia and government. By emphasizing the application of science and technology to solve relevant problems, the course prepares students to identify opportunities, utilize resources effectively, and create value through innovation. Participants will learn to articulate their ideas, and to transform them to robust business plans, and to develop strategies to take them to market. The curriculum includes lectures, assignments, discussions, and practical experiences with business idea development. Notably, the course features interactions with successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders, providing real-world insights into creating and growing businesses. The evaluation comprises quizzes, presentations, and group discussions, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of entrepreneurship. Limited to 80 students per semester, this course offers an exclusive learning environment supported by a rich array of resources and expert insights.
Understanding the concepts is expected to kindle an entrepreneurial interest in them. By the end of the course the learners will be able to:
Identify problems worth solving with inputs of science and technology
Find and channelize resources to enable innovation
Create and enhance value from innovation
Write a clear, concise and compelling business plan
Develop suitable methods of marketing themselves and their ideas
Profile of the Instructor(s)
Prof. Thalappil Pradeep is an Institute Professor at IITM. He has trained over 300 graduate, masters, and postdoctoral students to do original research and thousands of others in different branches of science and engineering through classroom teaching. He is an author of 7 books, 550 papers, and 120 patents. He has built seven start-up companies. His technologies on clean water have reached 13 million people. He is a fellow of all the science and engineering academies of India, The World Academy of Sciences, the African Academy of Sciences, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has received prestigious recognitions such as the Padma Shri, VinFuture Prize, and Eni Award, among others.
Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal
Trained at IIT Madras (BTech & DD MTech) and Imperial College London (PhD, Postdoc), Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal has expertise in Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), co-leading the Center for NDE. With over 30 funded projects, 200 technical articles, 28 granted IPs, he is widely recognised for his pioneering work on waveguide ultrasonics and robotics for digital transformation in the industrial (energy and mobility) and social (water, health and sanitation) contexts. Prof. Prabhu is passionate about service-oriented engineering education and technology translation, working closely with companies, agencies and societal bodies in taking these innovations to the field. In this quest he has also co-founded several Startups that license his IPs, and are disrupting the asset/ plant integrity maintenance space with their original offerings digital integrity monitoring. Recipient of prestigious Early Career awards from academia and industry (National Design Award from Institution of Engineers (India), National Young Scientist Awards from: Indian Society for NDT and Institute for Smart Structures and Systems, Institute R&D Award from IIT Madras and the National Swarnajayanti Fellowship from DST, Govt of India), Prof. Prabhu’s work has also been featured widely in popular media. Prof. Prabhu is member of the Editorial Boards of the widely regarded peer-reviewed journals, Ultrasonics and NDT&E International. At IIT Madras, he is Advisor for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and thus the faculty in-charge of the maker space Center for Innovation and the pre-incubator Nirmaan.He is on the Advisory Board of the Techin, the Incubator of IIT Palakkad, as well as serving on their Global Sanitation Center of Excellence
Prof. Thillai Rajan
Thillai Rajan is a Professor in the Department of Management Studies and leads the Centre for Research on Start-ups and Risk Financing (CREST) at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. During 2009 – 18, he edited the annual India Venture Capital and Private Equity Report. In 2020, he played a key role in the formation of innovation, Venturing, and Entrepreneurship in India Network (iVEIN), a multi-institutional consortium to research on innovation and venturing in India. He is also a co-founder of YNOS Venture Engine, a start-up set up to address the pain points of early stage entrepreneurs. From 2017 – 2022, he was also an associate at the Mossavar Rahmani Center for Business and Government, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University. Between Aug – Dec 2022, he hosted India’s First LIVE chat show on Start-ups, The Start-up Junction, in Doordarshan Tamil, part of the National Broadcasting Network. He has been the recipient of the Fulbright Nehru Senior Research Fellowship, the Endeavour Executive Fellowship of the Government of Australia, and the Chevening Gurukul Fellowship
Mr. Krishnan Narayanan is the co-founder and President of itihaasa Research and Digital and studies the evolution of technology domains in India. He is an award-winning author and has co-authored Against All Odds – The IT Story of India (Penguin India 2022) and Empowering India (Indian Academy of Sciences, 2023).
Earlier at Infosys, he was a member of the Infosys Labs Management Council, managed a global transformation program in partnership with Microsoft, and collaborated with research & innovation clusters from the US, Netherlands, and Australia. He has degrees from IIT Madras and XLRI Jamshedpur. He is the past President IIT Madras Alumni Association and a founding governing board member of AquaMAP Water Centre.
Eligibility & Fees
Participants from any background are eligible. Final year B.E./B.Tech., M.E./M.Tech, M.Sc./M.A., Ph.D. and equivalent students may join.
Exempt for IITM students
Course Fees: ₹10,000. We offer an inaugural discount of 50%; therefore, the current fee is ₹5,000.
Registration fee: ₹ 5,900 (₹ 5,000 + 18% GST)
Intended Audience
Senior undergraduate, postgraduate students, research scholars, water professionals, laboratory trainees, and analysts.
Certification
Certification Criteria will be based on :
Making a business plan for an unknown business in the area of interest
Building a new business case for a known business
Analysing reasons for failure of a business grown from an academic institution
Case studies on failed and successful start-ups / science-based innovations in large companies
Module Description
MODULE – 1 : Entrepreneurial thinking and Innovation value chain
Module Duration:
All lectures of 50 minutes will be LIVE and recorded
Concepts Covered:
Entrepreneurship from academic institutions: From ammonia to CRISPR and the world today
Ideas worth solving From workbench to factories – bridging barriers and when to think about starting a company
Intellectual property and its protection
MODULE – 2 : Incubation
Module Duration:
All lectures of 50 minutes will be LIVE and recorded
Concepts Covered:
Building a business plan Creating a dream team Entrepreneurial finance: Raising and managing money
First revenue
Nuts and bolts – Statutory and legal compliances Investors and expectations
Module 3 will be in the form of interaction with faculty and alumni who have built companies.
MODULE – 3 : Value Creation
Module Duration:
All lectures of 50 minutes will be LIVE and recorded
Concepts Covered:
Growth of businesses
Exit plan Life X-verse: New products, innovation and value creation
Experiences in nurturing companies – short lectures by business executives, entrepreneur-scientists and engineers Opportunities locally – IITM, in your subject and in India
MODULE – 4 : Ideas to businesses
Module Duration:
All lectures of 50 minutes will be LIVE and recorded
Concepts Covered:
Group presentations on ideas worth solving and making business plans for each of them
Course Schedule
Last day of registration: August 2, 2024
Course Duration: Commencing August 6 – Ending November 2024
Session Day : Tuesdays
Session Timings : 02:00 p.m. – 04:45 p.m. (IST)
Course Essentials
Students should utilize a Gmail account for course registration to streamline the process and enhance their user experience.
While attending lectures and viewing videos can be done on tabs and mobile phones, it is crucial to utilize a laptop or desktop for submitting assignments, quizzes, and the end-semester exam. This ensures accurate submission and entry on your course page.
Contact for Support
For any queries related to the course, you may please write to:
ramya_coe@icsrpis.iitm.ac.in
For any queries related to registration please write to:
anupama@nptel.iitm.ac.in
florence@nptel.iitm.ac.in
11 reviews for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – A Multi-disciplinary Approach
Rated 5 out of 5
Anubhav Mahapatra –
This kind of course add on great value to any individual who want to develop themselves with an holistic angle of development. The innovative way to look for the things can be enhanced by tooking this course which involve so many renowned scientists and entrepreneur. This is must to take course for developing as an individual and to create some innovation in the field of interest and change the way to look for the things.
Rated 5 out of 5
Yash R –
This is an Essential course for anyone planning to get into the entrepreneurship journey. The best part you learn in this course is “Value Creation”, which usually most material don’t cover. I thank Prof. Pradeep and the faculties involved to make this course a remarkable experience.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sudhir S –
I’m Sudhir pursuing MS Entrepreneurship at IITM. I took ‘Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers’ course at IIT Madras last semester, and it was a game-changer for me. The program was rich in practical applications, covering critical topics such as market research, product development, and intellectual property rights. The highlight was the educational visits to Bangalore and IIT Madras Research Park, where we explored centers like the Centre for Brain Research and ART Park. These visits provided invaluable networking opportunities with industry leaders and potential collaborators. The course’s hands-on approach, combined with mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, significantly boosted my confidence and practical knowledge. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to turn their scientific or engineering ideas into successful ventures.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sanjeev –
Taking the ‘Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers’ course at IIT Madras was an enlightening experience. The curriculum delved deep into innovation strategies, financial management, and startup ecosystems. The educational visits to top-tier research facilities, including CCAMP and Agnikul, were particularly inspiring, showcasing the cutting-edge advancements and entrepreneurial activities in various industries. The mentorship and real-world insights from experienced entrepreneurs were invaluable, making complex concepts accessible and actionable. This course is a must for scientists and engineers aiming to innovate and make a significant impact in their fields.
Rated 5 out of 5
nimesh –
The ‘Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers’ course at IIT Madras exceeded my expectations. It provided a comprehensive overview of the entrepreneurial journey, from ideation to market launch. Topics such as patent filing, business model development, and funding strategies were covered in depth. The visits to Bangalore and the IIT Madras Research Park, including interactions at the Centre for Brain Research and ART Park, offered real-world perspectives that textbooks can’t match. The combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experiences, along with guidance from successful entrepreneurs, was incredibly empowering. This course is essential for anyone in the scientific and engineering community looking to transform their ideas into impactful enterprises
Rated 5 out of 5
Riya Dutta –
The ‘Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers’ course at IIT Madras was a comprehensive learning experience that profoundly impacted my career aspirations. The curriculum included key topics like innovation, patenting, and financial management, providing a solid foundation in entrepreneurship. Educational visits to prominent centers such as CCAMP and Agnikul were eye-opening, offering direct interaction with industry leaders and cutting-edge research. The hands-on approach and expert mentorship provided practical skills and boosted my entrepreneurial confidence. This course is a must for aspiring entrepreneurs in the scientific and engineering sectors who are eager to bring their ideas to market.
Rated 5 out of 5
Srijan Tiwari –
I am Srijan, MS entrepreneurship Research Scholar at IITM. I recently participated in the “Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers” course at IIT Madras, which was a transformative experience. The program covered essential topics like patent filings, financial planning, and innovation, providing a thorough understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Educational visits to Bangalore and IIT Madras Research Park, including the Centre for Brain Research, ART Park, CCAMP, and Agnikul, offered practical insights into various industries. The hands-on approach and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs significantly enhanced my learning and confidence in pursuing entrepreneurial ventures. Overall, this course profoundly impacted my perspective on innovation and entrepreneurship, making it highly recommended for aspiring entrepreneurs in the scientific and engineering fields.
Rated 5 out of 5
Atrayee Datta –
The course provided us with a wealth of enlightening information and experiences. The professors led us with utmost dedication and provided clear guidance. All aspects of entrepreneurship, including business model development, investments, partnerships, customer segments, and revenue streams, were thoroughly covered. Additionally, we had the opportunity to visit various start-ups incubated in IIT Madras and the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore, which provided us with valuable hands-on startup experience. Moreover, students were required to present their startup ideas, making the experience even more enriching and interesting. Overall, this course is ideal for anyone seeking a basic introduction to entrepreneurship or looking to establish their own startup.
Rated 5 out of 5
Atrayee Datta –
The course ‘Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers’ provided us with a wealth of enlightening information and experiences. The professors led us with utmost dedication and provided clear guidance. All aspects of entrepreneurship, including business model development, investments, partnerships, customer segments, and revenue streams, were thoroughly covered. Additionally, we had the opportunity to visit various start-ups incubated at IIT Madras and the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore, which provided us with valuable hands-on startup experience. Moreover, students were required to present their startup ideas, making the experience even more enriching and interesting. Overall, this course is ideal for anyone seeking a basic introduction to entrepreneurship or looking to establish their own startup.
Rated 5 out of 5
Baskar –
This is one of the unique and comprehensive course on Entrepreneurship combined with theoretical and practical aspects. Course covers topics like problem identification process , innovative ideation , value sutras , business models , preparing bmc , financial and legal aspects of startups. Last but not the least, potential investors to evaluate the business ideas. Overall a very valuable course and you will enjoy the process of execution.
Rated 5 out of 5
Velmurugan G –
I am hopeful this course will be very useful for those planning for innovations and start-ups. Biologists have a lot of innovations at lab level but they lag very far behind on reaching into a business models. I am hopeful this course could lead to development of young biologists into entrepreneurs.
Anubhav Mahapatra –
This kind of course add on great value to any individual who want to develop themselves with an holistic angle of development. The innovative way to look for the things can be enhanced by tooking this course which involve so many renowned scientists and entrepreneur. This is must to take course for developing as an individual and to create some innovation in the field of interest and change the way to look for the things.
Yash R –
This is an Essential course for anyone planning to get into the entrepreneurship journey. The best part you learn in this course is “Value Creation”, which usually most material don’t cover. I thank Prof. Pradeep and the faculties involved to make this course a remarkable experience.
Sudhir S –
I’m Sudhir pursuing MS Entrepreneurship at IITM. I took ‘Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers’ course at IIT Madras last semester, and it was a game-changer for me. The program was rich in practical applications, covering critical topics such as market research, product development, and intellectual property rights. The highlight was the educational visits to Bangalore and IIT Madras Research Park, where we explored centers like the Centre for Brain Research and ART Park. These visits provided invaluable networking opportunities with industry leaders and potential collaborators. The course’s hands-on approach, combined with mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, significantly boosted my confidence and practical knowledge. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to turn their scientific or engineering ideas into successful ventures.
Sanjeev –
Taking the ‘Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers’ course at IIT Madras was an enlightening experience. The curriculum delved deep into innovation strategies, financial management, and startup ecosystems. The educational visits to top-tier research facilities, including CCAMP and Agnikul, were particularly inspiring, showcasing the cutting-edge advancements and entrepreneurial activities in various industries. The mentorship and real-world insights from experienced entrepreneurs were invaluable, making complex concepts accessible and actionable. This course is a must for scientists and engineers aiming to innovate and make a significant impact in their fields.
nimesh –
The ‘Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers’ course at IIT Madras exceeded my expectations. It provided a comprehensive overview of the entrepreneurial journey, from ideation to market launch. Topics such as patent filing, business model development, and funding strategies were covered in depth. The visits to Bangalore and the IIT Madras Research Park, including interactions at the Centre for Brain Research and ART Park, offered real-world perspectives that textbooks can’t match. The combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experiences, along with guidance from successful entrepreneurs, was incredibly empowering. This course is essential for anyone in the scientific and engineering community looking to transform their ideas into impactful enterprises
Riya Dutta –
The ‘Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers’ course at IIT Madras was a comprehensive learning experience that profoundly impacted my career aspirations. The curriculum included key topics like innovation, patenting, and financial management, providing a solid foundation in entrepreneurship. Educational visits to prominent centers such as CCAMP and Agnikul were eye-opening, offering direct interaction with industry leaders and cutting-edge research. The hands-on approach and expert mentorship provided practical skills and boosted my entrepreneurial confidence. This course is a must for aspiring entrepreneurs in the scientific and engineering sectors who are eager to bring their ideas to market.
Srijan Tiwari –
I am Srijan, MS entrepreneurship Research Scholar at IITM. I recently participated in the “Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers” course at IIT Madras, which was a transformative experience. The program covered essential topics like patent filings, financial planning, and innovation, providing a thorough understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Educational visits to Bangalore and IIT Madras Research Park, including the Centre for Brain Research, ART Park, CCAMP, and Agnikul, offered practical insights into various industries. The hands-on approach and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs significantly enhanced my learning and confidence in pursuing entrepreneurial ventures. Overall, this course profoundly impacted my perspective on innovation and entrepreneurship, making it highly recommended for aspiring entrepreneurs in the scientific and engineering fields.
Atrayee Datta –
The course provided us with a wealth of enlightening information and experiences. The professors led us with utmost dedication and provided clear guidance. All aspects of entrepreneurship, including business model development, investments, partnerships, customer segments, and revenue streams, were thoroughly covered. Additionally, we had the opportunity to visit various start-ups incubated in IIT Madras and the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore, which provided us with valuable hands-on startup experience. Moreover, students were required to present their startup ideas, making the experience even more enriching and interesting. Overall, this course is ideal for anyone seeking a basic introduction to entrepreneurship or looking to establish their own startup.
Atrayee Datta –
The course ‘Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers’ provided us with a wealth of enlightening information and experiences. The professors led us with utmost dedication and provided clear guidance. All aspects of entrepreneurship, including business model development, investments, partnerships, customer segments, and revenue streams, were thoroughly covered. Additionally, we had the opportunity to visit various start-ups incubated at IIT Madras and the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore, which provided us with valuable hands-on startup experience. Moreover, students were required to present their startup ideas, making the experience even more enriching and interesting. Overall, this course is ideal for anyone seeking a basic introduction to entrepreneurship or looking to establish their own startup.
Baskar –
This is one of the unique and comprehensive course on Entrepreneurship combined with theoretical and practical aspects. Course covers topics like problem identification process , innovative ideation , value sutras , business models , preparing bmc , financial and legal aspects of startups. Last but not the least, potential investors to evaluate the business ideas. Overall a very valuable course and you will enjoy the process of execution.
Velmurugan G –
I am hopeful this course will be very useful for those planning for innovations and start-ups. Biologists have a lot of innovations at lab level but they lag very far behind on reaching into a business models. I am hopeful this course could lead to development of young biologists into entrepreneurs.