Axis Bank and BITS Pilani to Set Up Research Park in Hyderabad with ₹100 Crore Grant
Axis Bank and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani have signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a major research and innovation park at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus. The project, to be named Axis Bank–BITS Industry Research, Technology & Innovation Park, will be backed by a ₹100 crore corporate social responsibility (CSR) grant from the bank. The agreement was formalised at a ceremony in Mumbai, the bank announced on Wednesday.
The upcoming facility will have a dedicated focus on life sciences, biopharma, healthcare, and medical devices. Its primary objective is to act as a platform that strengthens India's innovation ecosystem and, in particular, promotes the development of cost-effective healthcare solutions accessible to the wider public.
Envisioned to cover an area of around 1.20 lakh square feet, the research park will integrate laboratories, incubation spaces, and a variety of shared resources under one roof. It is designed to cater to innovators from multiple streams—academia, startups, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The park will facilitate structured partnerships, joint project design, and co-creation, while also enabling technology transfer and intellectual property management. In addition, it will provide ready access to the academic expertise, research talent, and institutional knowledge of BITS Pilani.
Under the terms of the MoU, BITS Pilani will lead the governance structure and shape the research agenda, while Axis Bank will support the development of physical infrastructure. Such industry-academia collaborations are seen as critical to bridging the gap between research and commercial application, particularly in fields like healthcare where innovation can have direct societal impact.
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor of BITS Pilani, welcomed the partnership: “The partnership between BITS Pilani and Axis Bank is exactly the kind of forward-looking collaboration India needs to build stronger innovation systems. The Research Park will help BITS Pilani deepen its work in cutting-edge research and entrepreneurship while also contributing to solutions that can make a meaningful difference to society.”
Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director and CEO of Axis Bank, noted the common vision of the two institutions: “As institutions, we share a collective vision of building conscientious leaders equipped with knowledge and the unwavering resolve to make a difference.”
The chosen location, Hyderabad, is already a prominent hub for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in India. The new research park is expected to complement existing clusters and contribute to regional economic and technological growth. The investment aligns with the corporate social responsibility obligations of Axis Bank under the Companies Act, which mandates eligible companies to spend a portion of their profits on social development activities. This grant is among the larger CSR commitments in the higher education and research sector in recent times.
The park aims to become a catalyst for entrepreneurship and job creation by supporting early-stage ideas and helping them mature into viable ventures. It will also provide a collaborative environment where academic researchers can work alongside industry professionals to address practical challenges in healthcare and life sciences.
The initiative underscores a growing trend of private sector funding fostering innovation infrastructure in India, with several banks and corporations setting up similar research parks and innovation labs across the country.
