Prabhu Rajagopal
About Us
Dr. Prabhu Rajagopal is a distinguished serial entrepreneur, academic, and innovator who has co-founded multiple successful startups while making significant contributions to engineering research and India's startup ecosystem. Currently a Full Professor and Advisor for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at IIT Madras, he has built an impressive portfolio of ventures spanning underwater robotics, healthcare blockchain, industrial sensors, and AI-powered solutions.
Prof. Prabhu is a recipient of India's most prestigious award for mid-career scientists—the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Technology and Innovation (2024). With over 30 funded projects, 225+ technical articles, and 33 granted intellectual properties, he is widely recognized for his pioneering work in Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) and ultrasonics. His research focuses on digital transformation in industrial contexts (energy and mobility) and social applications (water, sanitation, and health).
As the faculty in-charge of the Center for Innovation (CFI) and pre-incubator Nirmaan at IIT Madras, Prof. Prabhu has been instrumental in fostering the institute's vibrant innovation ecosystem.
Prof. Prabhu has co-founded multiple successful startups, including:
- Planys Technologies- India's first commercial provider of automated underwater vehicles
- Solinas Integrity Pvt Ltd- Robotics for smart city infrastructure and eliminating manual scavenging
- Plenome- Blockchain and AI-based solutions for healthcare and data security
- XYMA Analytics Pvt Ltd- Deep tech sensors for high-temperature industrial monitoring
- Dhvani Research- AI in Non-Destructive Evaluation with bespoke and standard inspection solutions, and many more.
His ventures span diverse sectors from underwater robotics to healthcare blockchain, all emerging from his research lab and embodying his philosophy of translational science—moving innovations across Technology Readiness Levels to field deployment.
Known as "Gandhi" during his IIT days, Prof. Prabhu also loves "poetry"—finding beauty in everything and connecting it to the Indian philosophical quest of Sathyam, Shivam, and Sundaram (truth, auspiciousness, and beauty). His multidisciplinary approach reflects his belief that all scientific branches ultimately unite at a foundational level.
We interviewed Prof. Prabhu recently on "The Best Place to Build" podcast, where he discussed IIT Madras's transformation into India's premier innovation hub, the shift in student mindset, and why he believes IIT Madras is indeed the best place to build.
Prabhu Rajagopal
Dr. Prabhu Rajagopal is a distinguished serial entrepreneur, academic, and innovator who has co-founded multiple successful startups while making significant contributions to engineering research and India's startup ecosystem. Currently a Full Professor and Advisor for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at IIT Madras, he has built an impressive portfolio of ventures spanning underwater robotics, healthcare blockchain, industrial sensors, and AI-powered solutions.
Prof. Prabhu is a recipient of India's most prestigious award for mid-career scientists—the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Technology and Innovation (2024). With over 30 funded projects, 225+ technical articles, and 33 granted intellectual properties, he is widely recognized for his pioneering work in Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) and ultrasonics. His research focuses on digital transformation in industrial contexts (energy and mobility) and social applications (water, sanitation, and health).
As the faculty in-charge of the Center for Innovation (CFI) and pre-incubator Nirmaan at IIT Madras, Prof. Prabhu has been instrumental in fostering the institute's vibrant innovation ecosystem.
Prof. Prabhu has co-founded multiple successful startups, including:
- Planys Technologies- India's first commercial provider of automated underwater vehicles
- Solinas Integrity Pvt Ltd- Robotics for smart city infrastructure and eliminating manual scavenging
- Plenome- Blockchain and AI-based solutions for healthcare and data security
- XYMA Analytics Pvt Ltd- Deep tech sensors for high-temperature industrial monitoring
- Dhvani Research- AI in Non-Destructive Evaluation with bespoke and standard inspection solutions, and many more.
His ventures span diverse sectors from underwater robotics to healthcare blockchain, all emerging from his research lab and embodying his philosophy of translational science—moving innovations across Technology Readiness Levels to field deployment.
Known as "Gandhi" during his IIT days, Prof. Prabhu also loves "poetry"—finding beauty in everything and connecting it to the Indian philosophical quest of Sathyam, Shivam, and Sundaram (truth, auspiciousness, and beauty). His multidisciplinary approach reflects his belief that all scientific branches ultimately unite at a foundational level.
We interviewed Prof. Prabhu recently on "The Best Place to Build" podcast, where he discussed IIT Madras's transformation into India's premier innovation hub, the shift in student mindset, and why he believes IIT Madras is indeed the best place to build.
