The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two institutions sets the foundation for a bold new direction in global education. This partnership brings together Kruu’s expertise in experiential learning and Illinois Tech’s legacy of experiential learning pedagogy in innovation, engineering, and technology-led entrepreneurship. At the heart of the collaboration is a shared belief in empowering students to think independently, build confidently, and innovate fearlessly.
“Illinois Tech is deeply committed to serving learning from K through Grade 12 by meeting learners where they are by providing them with an in-demand, relevant education. We are honored to be part of an initiative that will connect high school students worldwide with high-impact experiences,” said Mallik Sundharam, vice president for enrollmentmanagement and student affairs at Illinois Tech. “As we prepare to launch our academic campus globally, we are pleased to partner with Kruu to expand our capacity to deliver on Illinois Tech’s commitment to providing learners with an experiences-driven education that uniquely prepares them for the careers of the future.”
The K2 Virtual Incubation Lab will create a structured pathway for students to explore challenges rooted in science, technology, design, and society, while receiving direct mentorship from Illinois Tech’s faculty and experts. Students will be guided from ideation to pitch, with support from the innovation ecosystem of Illinois Tech’s Ed Family Kaplan Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship and the university’s flagship Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) program. The lab will also recognize top student ventures through joint certification and will open long-term pathways for further study and engagement at Illinois Tech and its global campus
This initiative will also support teacher development and training, helping educators bring project-based pedagogies into their classrooms with confidence and creativity. With plans for curated challenges, immersive workshops, and student showcases, the K2 Lab is designed to spark a culture of innovation that is inclusive, globally connected, and future-ready.
“This is more than a partnership. It’s a shared commitment to reimagining what education can and should be,” said Anil Srinivasan, founder and CEO of Kruu. “We are excited to join hands with Illinois Tech to bring the power of structured innovation to students who are ready to make a difference.”
With this collaboration, Kruu continues its mission of building powerful learning ecosystems across the world, where mentorship, access, and imagination converge to prepare the next generation of changemakers.
About Kruu
Kruu is a forward-thinking, project-based learning (PBL) and skilling platform transforming how students learn by making education experiential, inclusive, and future-ready. Founded in 2022 by acclaimed musician and educator Anil Srinivasan, Kruu connects middle and high school students with global university professors and industry experts through guided, real-world projects ranging from AI for social good to space technology and biotech innovations.
In just two years, Kruu has impacted over 4,70,000 students across 400+ schools, with users from India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Africa, and is now expanding into the UAE, Philippines, Latin America, and beyond. Kruu’s unified platform fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity skills essential for thriving in the 21st century.
Kruu’s mission is anchored in educational equity and empowerment, ensuring “No Child Gets Left Behind.” By bridging the gap between school education and higher learning, Kruu creates tangible pathways for students to build their future offering access to internships, startup incubators, and global investors, preparing them for meaningful careers beyond the classroom.
Recognised by The PIE as one of the Top 10 most progressive ideas in education, Kruu continues to set new benchmarks in accessible, high-impact learning.
For more information, visit www.getkruu.com
About Illinois Tech
Based in the global metropolis of Chicago, Illinois Tech was born to liberate the power of collective difference to advance technology and innovation for all. It is the only tech-focused university in the city, and it stands at the crossroads of exploration and invention, advancing the future of Chicago and the world. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees inengineering, computing, architecture, business, design,science and human sciences, and law. Illinois Tech students are guaranteed access to hands-on experiences, personalized mentorship, and job readiness through the university’s one-of-a-kind Elevate program. Its graduates lead the state and much of the nation in economic prosperity. Its faculty and alumni built the Chicago skyline. And every day in the city’s living lab, Illinois Tech fuels breakthroughs that change lives. Visitiit.edu.