NOIDA, India, Feb 26, 2026 — HCLTech, a leading global technology company, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly convert cutting‑edge research into real‑world pilots and scalable solutions for Global Capability Centers (GCCs).
The collaboration positions HCLTech as a trusted GCC partner for enabling research-led innovation, especially in advanced engineering and deep tech with a strong focus on AI, robotics and next‑generation technologies. By combining HCLTech’s comprehensive GCC solutions and IIT Kanpur’s research and startup ecosystem, the partnership enables research‑driven innovation that goes beyond traditional talent and services. It helps GCCs accelerate complex research, access niche skills without having to build internal labs and reduce time-to-market.
“At IIT Kanpur, we have strong expertise and ongoing translational R&D in AI and intelligent systems, robotics, cybersecurity and other next-generation technologies. Through this partnership with HCLTech, our researchers gain direct access to real-world challenges faced by global GCCs, complemented by access to research funding and industry mentorship. Translational research being a strategic priority, this MoU serves as a bridge between academic research and enterprises to codevelop innovative technologies with measurable impact," said Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur.
“The next era of GCC growth will be shaped by how effectively they tap into world‑class research and deep tech ecosystems. This MoU with IIT Kanpur positions HCLTech as a catalyst — bringing GCCs, academic excellence, research and the startup eco-system together — to help enterprises move from frontier research to pilots and enterprise‑ready solutions at speed and scale, delivering quicker time‑to‑market and better customer experiences,” said Kiran Cherukuri, EVP and Global GCC Practice Head, HCLTech.
The collaboration was launched at the ‘GCC 4.0: Co‑Creating India’s Innovation Powerhouse’ summit in Hyderabad, which brought together more than 250 leaders from India‑based and global GCCs, IIT Kanpur, startups and the broader technology ecosystem.
About HCLTech
HCLTech is a global technology company, home to more than 226,300 people across 60 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around AI, digital, engineering, cloud and software, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. We work with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for Financial Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, High Tech, Semiconductor, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG, Mobility and Public Services. Consolidated revenues as of 12 months ending December 2025 totaled $14.5 billion. To learn how we can supercharge progress for you, visit hcltech.com.
For further details, please contact:
Nitin Shukla, India, Middle East & Africa
nitin-shukla@hcltech.com
Meredith Bucaro, Americas
meredith-bucaro@hcltech.com
Elka Ghudial, Europe
elka.ghudial@hcltech.com
James Galvin, APAC
james.galvin@hcltech.com