Rutgers signed an agreement with Tamil Nadu Technology Hub in Chennai, India, that aims to foster innovation in the deep technology sector and create collaboration opportunities for both institutions, including research and development, academic research and startup entrepreneurship.
The agreement was signed by Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way during the inaugural economic mission of the New Jersey-India Commission.
The agreement will be led by Rutgers Global, the university-wide unit of Rutgers University committed to leading, developing, and promoting international initiatives and education, and iTNT Hub leaders who will develop programming and initiatives to support deep technology research between the institutions.
The iTNT Hub aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the deep-tech ecosystem, serving as a launchpad for startups and a catalyst for technological breakthroughs.
With a focus on fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, and advanced materials, the Hub supports the commercialization of research and the development of solutions with global impact. Through collaborations with leading institutions like Rutgers University, the iTNT Hub strengthens its mission of driving transformative innovation, nurturing entrepreneurial talent, and creating a robust network of global partners committed to addressing critical challenges and shaping the future of technology.
“This partnership exemplifies Rutgers University’s commitment to global engagement and innovation,” Rutgers Chief Operating Officer Tony Calcado said. “By joining forces with iTNT Hub, we are not only advancing research in the deep-tech sector but also creating new opportunities for our students and faculty to contribute to transformative solutions that address global challenges.”
Vanitha Venugopal, CEO of the Tamil Nadu Technology Hub, was equally excited.
“iTNT Hub is proud to collaborate with Rutgers University, a globally renowned research institution, to push the boundaries of innovation,” she said. “This agreement underscores our commitment to building a robust ecosystem where research meets entrepreneurship to create impactful technologies for the future.”
Wes Mathews, the CEO of Choose New Jersey and the chair of the NJ-India Commission, said the agreement will have impact.
“New Jersey is home to an advanced technology infrastructure and top-ranked research institutions equipped to support research in sectors that will define the future of how we live, work, and play,” he said. “This partnership creates opportunities to develop our workforce of engineers and scientists while exploring new ways to continue supporting our growing community of start-ups that are so crucial to the economic success of both the states.”
