In a country like India where around a million students graduate every year to join the workforce, it is the 10,000 odd graduates IITs churn out every month, who are considered to be the crème de la crème. Over the years, IITians have been bagging the most lucrative job positions across top companies. This can be attributed to the robust learning ecosystem and start-up culture that IITs boast of.

While high-paying corporate jobs or going overseas for Master’s and doctorates is what most IIT graduates usually opt for after graduation, in the recent times, the trend is slowly heading downwards. With the growing preference over the close-knit start-up culture, many graduates are aspiring to become entrepreneurs or technopreneurs to put it more specifically. In fact, most of the emerging and established start-ups in India as well as in the US, are founded by IIT alumni.

When it comes to technopreneurship, Rajat Khare, an IIT Delhi alumnus and founder of Boundary Holding, is one of the ideal examples. Based in Luxembourg, his firm invests in AI and deep-tech companies and helpsthem turn their unconventional and innovative businessideas into reality. From Konux, Infinidome and RanMarine Technology to Singapore-based XR Vision, it has a robust portfolio investment which it has built over the years. Furthermore, BipulVaibhav, founder of Skillate, is also an alumnus of IIT-Guwahati.

By leveraging AI, Skillate has been helping business organisations optimise their hiring process through AI-powered system. Today, the company has over 13 enterprise customers on board including top companies from various industries.

In addition to foraying into entrepreneurship, many IIT alumni are even backing out from remunerative corporate career to work for new-age start-upsor following the path paved by their seniors. Moreover, with most IITians turning to founders, they go on to recruit each other. 21-year-old Ashutosh Kumar, an IIT Madras alumnus, landed an impressive job offer at an MNC however, with his interests in aero-robotics, he joined ePlanes, a start-up co-founded by his senior Pranjal Mehta, where he has interned during his initial years in the institute.

This is just one among the many instances of IITians eyeing on new-age start-ups. The emerging culture has also led to a diversity in recruiter pool, with increased participation from software and tech companies as well during the placement drive in recent times.