How IIT Delhi's alumni are reshaping global leadership and startups
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi boasts a global network of over 65,000 alumni spread across industries and leadership roles. Many have gone on to shape major companies, launch startups, and drive innovation worldwide. Their influence stretches from corporate boardrooms to early-stage ventures, with a strong presence in both India and abroad.
A significant number of IIT Delhi graduates hold top corporate positions, with nearly 15% serving in C-level roles. Beyond corporate leadership, more than 2,500 alumni have founded or cofounded startups, creating around 4.8 lakh direct jobs globally. The institute ranks second only to IIT Bombay in producing founders of Indian soonicorns—companies poised to become unicorns soon.
The alumni network includes prominent names like Deepinder Goyal, founder of Eternal, Vinod Khosla, cofounder of Sun Microsystems, and Padmasree Warrior, founder of Fable. Collectively, IIT Delhi graduates have founded 21 unicorns and 45 soonicorns, reinforcing the institute's reputation as a hub for entrepreneurial talent.
To support new ventures, IIT Delhi operates initiatives like the Entrepreneurship Development Cell (eDC), which provides workshops, mentorship, and competitions for aspiring founders. The IIT Delhi Angels network also plays a key role by offering pre-seed and seed funding, along with strategic guidance. Additionally, the Endowment Fund, launched in 2019, has attracted hundreds of crores in commitments to fuel research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
While the alumni community actively backs early-stage startups, no specific programmes or funding efforts focused on deeptech, sustainable technologies, or AI-driven research have been recorded in the past five years.
IIT Delhi's alumni continue to make a mark across 35+ countries, with the largest concentration remaining in India. Their contributions span corporate leadership, job creation, and startup success. The institute's ongoing support systems further strengthen its role in fostering innovation and business growth.
