Chennai: Chevron ENGINE (Engineering and Innovation Excellence Center) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have launched the Chevron-IITM Energy Technology Incubation Programme to support early-stage innovators, researchers, student teams and social entrepreneurs developing technology-led solutions for the energy sector.
The programme will focus on areas including energy technology, energy infrastructure, carbon utilisation and circular economy and resource-efficiency solutions for the energy sector.
Through the IIT Madras innovation ecosystem, selected teams will receive support based on their stage of development, including prototype development, business model validation, incubation, grants, mentorship and market-readiness support.
The programme is aimed at helping innovators develop and scale solutions addressing energy-sector challenges, while providing access to technical expertise and industry perspectives.
Dr Akshay Sahni, Country Head, Chevron India, said the initiative is part of Chevron UDAAN, the company’s community partnership portfolio.
“Chevron ENGINE brings together India’s deep engineering and technology talent with Chevron’s global resources and expertise to help address current and future energy challenges. Through this partnership with IIT Madras, we are extending that idea into India’s innovation ecosystem by supporting student teams, researchers and social entrepreneurs developing practical solutions for the energy sector,” Sahni said.
He added that the programme would combine technical mentorship, entrepreneurial support and industry expertise to help develop future-ready talent and advance energy-sector solutions.
Prof Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, said the partnership would provide innovators with access to mentorship, technical expertise and the institute’s innovation ecosystem.
“Partnerships such as this are instrumental in advancing our vision of harnessing technology and innovation to address real-world energy challenges,” he said.
As part of the programme, Chevron will contribute industry expertise, technical mentorship, employee volunteering and opportunities for engagement between innovators and industry professionals. IIT Madras will provide access to its research, innovation and incubation ecosystem to help entrepreneurs develop, test and scale energy technologies.
The programme builds on Chevron’s existing engagement with IIT Madras and is intended to strengthen industry-academia collaboration around energy innovation and support the development of technology solutions for the sector.
