HCLTech and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have formalised a collaboration to advance deep tech innovation for Global Capability Centers (GCCs), signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) intended to translate academic research into practical, industry-relevant solutions. The agreement was unveiled at the GCC 4.0: Co-Creating India’s Innovation Powerhouse summit in Hyderabad, attended by more than 250 leaders from India-based and global GCCs, academia and the technology ecosystem.
Under the terms of the MoU, HCLTech will work with IIT Kanpur to convert cutting-edge research across advanced engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and next-generation technologies into real-world pilots and scalable solutions tailored for GCC operations. The alliance emphasises the acceleration of complex research, access to niche technical skills without requiring GCCs to build internal laboratories, and a reduction in time-to-market for emerging technologies.
Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, said that the institution’s translational research portfolio, particularly in AI, intelligent systems, cybersecurity and robotics, would gain exposure to current enterprise challenges through this partnership. It is expected to provide IIT Kanpur researchers with industry mentorship, access to research funding and pathways for deploying research outcomes in commercial settings.
Kiran Cherukuri, EVP and Global GCC Practice Head at HCLTech, described the collaboration as positioning HCLTech as a catalyst for deep tech innovation for GCCs by bridging academic research with enterprise needs and the broader startup ecosystem. According to the press release, the model seeks to go beyond traditional talent and service delivery to foster research-driven innovation that can be piloted and scaled at the enterprise level.
No financial terms of the MoU were disclosed in the press release. Both collaborators will begin defining specific joint research activities and pilot initiatives in the coming months, with progress expected to be reported to stakeholders in relevant industry forums and academic channels.
