The IIT Madras Global Research Foundation has set up its first centre outside India at Menlo Park in California, United States. The new centre is meant to back deep-tech research and help startups linked to the institute connect with the global innovation ecosystem. Menlo Park lies in the Silicon Valley region, a major hub for technology investment. The move extends the international footprint of IIT Madras, one of India's leading technical institutions located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.