IIT Madras marked World Sustainability Day with the grand finale of its second ‘Ideas to Impact’ (i2I) Challenge on 25 October, showcasing 38 student-led innovations designed to promote sustainability and carbon neutrality.
The event, organised by the institute’s Sustainability Venture Studio (SVS) under the School of Sustainability and supported by the Wipro Foundation, featured prototypes developed by college students and early-stage innovators from across India. The top ten teams will each receive seed funding of up to Rs 1 lakh and incubation support at IIT Madras to help commercialise their projects.
Chief Guest Anurag Mishra, Special Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Government of Tamil Nadu, said the state’s Sustain TN initiative aims to support entrepreneurs working in climate innovation. “We are happy to collaborate with IIT Madras, which has a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship,” he said.
Director of IIT Madras, Prof V Kamakoti, said the Demo Day provides a platform for entrepreneurs and investors to engage directly, describing it as an important step towards scaling sustainable ideas. Prof Indumathi Nambi, coordinator of the initiative, added that the programme helps young innovators bridge the gap between academic research and industry needs.
This year’s edition attracted over 3,500 registrations, a sharp rise from 2,500 last year. Eighteen teams presented their prototypes before a panel of investors, industry experts and faculty. The innovations included technologies for renewable energy, sustainable materials, clean water systems, waste management and eco-friendly packaging.
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Among the projects were a solar-powered e-waste recycler by IIT Madras, biodegradable packaging made from mushroom mycelium by Delhi University’s Miranda House, and an automated flood-resilient housing model from G Pulla Reddy Engineering College.
Industry expert Dr Palavesa Murugan, Head of Environment, Health and Safety at Ashok Leyland, said collective innovation is essential for India to achieve its net-zero goals. “Our growth must remain inclusive and responsible, decoupling emissions from economic expansion while balancing people, planet, and prosperity,” he said.
The i2I Challenge builds on IIT Madras’s earlier Carbon Zero Challenge, which has supported over 100 prototypes with funding exceeding Rs 5 crore. Several startups emerging from these programmes now operate in green sectors including waste management, water, energy, agriculture and sustainable materials.
Through its School of Sustainability, IIT Madras continues to serve as a hub for research, education and innovation in sustainability science and circular economy, supporting India’s transition towards a carbon-neutral future.
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