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TIH Foundation for IoT & IoE: Driving Innovation in Internet of Things (IoT) and Emerging Technologies

Introduction – Overview of the TIH Foundation

The TIH Foundation for IoT & IoE (often called TIH Foundation) is a not-for-profit technology innovation hub based at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay in Mumbai, India. It was established as a Section-8 company under Indian law with the support of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The Foundation focuses on advancing research, development, translational innovation, and entrepreneurial ecosystems in Internet of Things (IoT), Internet of Everything (IoE), and associated advanced technologies.

Incorporated on 25 August 2020, the TIH Foundation serves as a bridge between academia, industry, start-ups, and government to accelerate India’s leadership in technology-led growth and smart systems integration.

History and Background

Origins and Establishment

The TIH Foundation for IoT & IoE was formed in 2020 as part of India’s strategic initiative under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) to boost interdisciplinary research and innovation. This mission seeks to integrate cutting-edge technologies across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, industrial automation, smart infrastructure, and education. The Foundation operates from the esteemed IIT Bombay campus, leveraging world-class research capabilities and extensive industry linkages.

Evolution and Growth

Since inception, TIH Foundation has become a central hub in India’s IoT and IoE landscape, conducting translational research, facilitating technology commercialisation, and nurturing startups through fellowship programs and accelerator initiatives. The Foundation’s collaborative projects have extended into areas including generative AI integration, industrial Internet of Things applications, and autonomous systems development.

Mission and Purpose

Mission

The mission of the TIH Foundation is to create a self-sustaining continuum of innovation that propels India to the forefront of IoT and IoE technologies. This mission encompasses:

  • Fostering translational research and product development in IoT and allied technologies.
  • Building deeply skilled human resources capable of addressing complex technology challenges.
  • Supporting a thriving startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem at the intersection of academia and industry.
  • Enabling commercialisation of research outcomes for societal and economic impact.

Strategic Objectives

The Foundation’s strategic objectives include setting benchmarks for IoT implementation, promoting international collaboration, and enhancing socio-economic growth through innovation and technology adoption.

Governance and Structure

  • Legal Status and Registration
    • The TIH Foundation for IoT & IoE is registered as a Section-8 not-for-profit company in India, meaning it operates for charitable and innovation-focused purposes rather than profit distribution. Its official Company Identification Number (CIN) is U73200MH2020NPL344467, and its registered office is within the IIT Bombay campus, Powai, Mumbai.
  • Organisational Leadership
    • The Foundation’s leadership includes directors and professionals from academia and industry who provide strategic direction and oversight. Key roles include governance by nominated directors and senior technical leaders drawn from related research and innovation communities.
  • Collaborative Ecosystem
    • TIH Foundation is closely aligned with IIT Bombay, Department of Science and Technology (DST), and partners across private, academic, and government sectors, forming a robust innovation ecosystem bridging research and real-world implementation.

Funding, Grants, and Support Mechanisms

  • Opportunity Programs and Fellowship Support
    • The Foundation administers several programmes designed to support human resource development and innovation uptake. A notable example is the CHANAKYA Fellowship Program, which invites students and faculty teams to work on IoT-related research projects, with fellows receiving grants and stipends to drive focused investigations.
    • These initiatives often include financial support for research activities, project execution, contingency support for travel and consumables, and opportunities for industry engagement.
  • Industry Collaboration and Commercialisation Support
    • TIH Foundation also engages with industry partners to shape problem statements and provide mentorship, facilities, and co-funding opportunities that promote commercialisation of innovative solutions.
    • Additionally, strategic investments and partnerships have been reported, such as backing for Indian drone-technology startups to strengthen indigenous ecosystems, underscoring the Foundation’s role in project funding and ecosystem development.

Major Programs and Initiatives

  • CHANAKYA Fellowship Program
    • The CHANAKYA Fellowship Program is one of TIH’s flagship initiatives focused on developing human capital in interdisciplinary cyber-physical systems, enabling undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students to work on real-world IoT challenges.
  • ATMAN Accelerator Series
    • Through programmes like ATMAN 3.0, the Foundation supports early-stage startups in sectors such as HealthTech and IoT applications, providing funding support, mentorship, and acceleration pathways for technology commercialisation.
  • Technology Development and Product Innovation
    • Ongoing calls for proposals, technology development programmes, and mission-aligned challenges offer researchers and innovators opportunities to receive competitive support for prototyping, testing, and deploying IoT and smart systems solutions.

Impact and Examples of Work Supported

  • Advancing Indian Innovation Ecosystem
    • TIH Foundation’s activities have contributed to enhancing India’s IoT and smart technologies landscape by enabling collaborations between academia, industry, and startups, resulting in advanced solutions for healthcare, agriculture, smart cities, industrial automation, and beyond.
  • Startup and Commercialisation Progress
    • Supported startups have progressed toward commercial milestones, with investments and ecosystem linkages helping them scale innovative products, including AI-driven and sensor-integrated technologies.
  • Human Resource Development
    • Through fellowship programs and skills initiatives, TIH Foundation has helped cultivate a new generation of technically skilled professionals ready to apply IoT and CPS knowledge to solve industry and societal challenges.

Conclusion – TIH Foundation’s Role in India’s Technology Advancement

The TIH Foundation for IoT & IoE stands as a cornerstone institution in India’s technology innovation landscape, integrating translational research, technology development, entrepreneurial support, and human resource capacity building. By bringing together government mission directives, academic excellence at IIT Bombay, and industry collaborations, the Foundation accelerates the journey from research to real-world impact — fostering economic growth, technological self-reliance, and societal benefit across diverse application domains.

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