Mumbai, March 31 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and ideaForge Technology announced on Tuesday that they have reached an agreement to encourage future tech leaders to develop ideas that solve real-world problems, while demonstrating strong technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit.
Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), a six-month program – "Who Are the Next Idiots?" – was launched, aiming to attract participants working on concept-stage or early prototype ideas rooted in deep technology, according to a statement.
"This collaboration aims to create a structured platform to identify and nurture early-stage deep-tech ideas with strong technical foundations and real-world relevance. By combining academic expertise with industry experience, we seek to support participants through evaluation, mentorship, and potential incubation pathways, while fostering a culture of innovation," said Prof. Upendra Bhandarkar, Dean, Alumni and Corporate Relations, IIT Bombay.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students, recent graduates, and early-stage founders can participate individually or in teams of up to 3-4 members and submit original deep-tech ideas. The emphasis remains on technically grounded innovations with the potential to scale.
Registrations opened on February 28 and will remain open until April 30, 2026.
Submissions will be evaluated in multiple stages based on technical depth, originality, feasibility, and entrepreneurial intent.
In the final stage, participants will demonstrate feasibility through a 3D model, digital twin, or working prototype, depending on the maturity of the idea.
IIT Bombay will support outreach through its innovation ecosystem and institutional networks, assist in the evaluation process, and enable in-person interactions with shortlisted participants.
The institute will also explore incubation opportunities through its technology business incubator and establish support mechanisms for participant queries.
"Through 'Who Are the Next Idiots?', we aim to identify and support founders building technically ambitious solutions across robotics, energy systems, advanced materials, and autonomous technologies," added Rahul Singh, co-founder and vice president - engineering, ideaForge Technology.
