First Joint workshop with IIT Madras Research Park, Indian founders and Dresden-based companies aims to explore future collaborations

TUD Dresden University of Technology (TUD) is intensifying its cooperation with IIT Madras Research Park through an innovative "Startup Exchange Initiative" for both German and Indian startups. As part of the joint international startup workshop Global Leadership in Intelligent Assistive Technologies at TUD from August 12 to 14, 2024, representatives of 30 Indian entrepreneurs, including 14 startups, will come together with German companies such as ZEISS and Infineon, with members of the TUD university management, representatives of the Saxon State Ministry of Science, Culture and Tourism (SMWK), top researchers, as well as founders and transfer experts from TUD.

The visit of the Indian ambassador to TUD on August 12, 2024 to kick off the initiative underlines the significance of these first steps towards intensifying future cooperation. H.E. Harish Parvathaneni, Ambassador of the Republic of India to Germany, pointed out the particular value of academic cooperation between Saxony and India, including joint degree programs and student exchanges, as well as close cooperation in the areas of transfer, inventions and innovation. TUD and IIT Madras will now jointly advance these areas. Moreover, the ambassador emphasized the strong partnership between India, Germany and Saxony which will be based on shared values, striving to promote science and develop technologies for mutual benefit.

The "Startup Exchange Initiative", an internationalization project led by Prof. Andreas Pinkwart, Director of the TUD Excellence Center for Innovation, Transfer and Entrepreneurship (TUD|excite), is a prime example of such cooperation. It will help TUD's startups to network internationally, and promote innovation, technology transfer and entrepreneurship while strategically connecting inventions with India: "This international workshop with Indian and Saxon representatives from science, industry and the startup scene is an illustration of the very special cooperation between TUD|excite and the IIT Madras Research Park. Our current focus on intelligent assistive systems addresses an issue that is becoming increasingly critical for a growing number of people worldwide. In collaboration with our Indian partners, we want to provide impetus for the development of these technologies through innovative spin-offs into affordable products for international markets," explains Prof. Andreas Pinkwart.

"We have been cooperating closely with IIT Madras for years in the areas of teaching and research on environmental sustainability. Starting with our visit to Chennai last fall, we decided to deepen our cooperation and expand our joint fields of activity. In addition to research and teaching, we will now also collaborate in the field of technology transfer, and environmental sciences will be joined by microelectronics and AI research as well as medical research," says Prof. Ursula Staudinger, Rector of TU Dresden. "Today, we started our first Joint Startup Workshop. It focuses on a key issue for the future - intelligent assistive systems - and is a significant step towards closer cooperation with India. TUD|excite and IIT Madras Research Park will expand their cooperation with entrepreneurs from Chennai and Dresden on further subjects and develop solutions for the challenges of tomorrow."

The planned establishment of a liaison office is the next milestone towards strengthening ties with India and, in particular, intensifying cooperation with IIT Madras. This liaison office will link the two locations and significantly strengthen cooperation in the areas of research, student recruitment and technology transfer. "TU Dresden, IIT Madras and IIT Madras Research Park see this initiative as the beginning of a long-term partnership that will lead to significant developments in the field of assistive technologies and beyond," emphasizes Prof. Ronald Tetzlaff, Chief Officer Technology Transfer and Internationalization at TUD.

Background: Startup Exchange Initiative
The Startup Exchange Initiative is a flagship TUD internationalization project for technology transfer and sets a new benchmark for international cooperation in technology innovation. By providing them with the necessary tools, support and networks to navigate global markets, the cooperation partners TUD|excite and the IIT Madras Research Park will establish ideal conditions for startups. The initiative particularly aims to shape innovations and future technologies through cross-border cooperation and shared know-how while taking into account the different requirements of key international markets.

Background: IIT Madras Research Park
IIT Madras Research Park is one of India's oldest and most dynamic innovation hubs. It supports more than 350 startups with an estimated total turnover of USD 6 billion. This collaboration taps into a rich talent pool and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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