Tamil Nadu launches India’s first deeptech start-up policy

In a big boost to the state’s startup ecosystem, the Tamil Nadu government has launched India’s first deeptech policy.

The Tamil Nadu Deep-Tech Startup Policy 2025–26 aims to help innovators turn advanced research into scalable products. The policy has set aside ₹100 crore in funding and plans to support 100 startups.

The policy was developed by the Tamil Nadu Technology Foundation (iTNT) and was launched by Chief Minister MK Stalin at the fourth edition of “Umagine,” the state’s flagship technology conference, held here on Thursday.

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According to the policy, the state will launch a “Government as Early Adopter Programme” across five departments to test, validate, and scale deeptech solutions. Each department will receive an annual budget of ₹5 crore for this.

The government will also train more than 10,000 students and professionals in deeptech skills like AI, biotech, and robotics, and offer 10 research fellowships.

“Deep-tech skill development programmes, data centre policies, continuous investment in research infrastructure will chart the path to transform Tamil Nadu from an IT services hub into a comprehensive technology and innovation powerhouse,” CM Stalin said. Stalin added that the government’s focus on extending growth to tier-2 and tier-3 cities has led to software exports from 32 of Tamil Nadu’s 38 districts, including Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, and Tirunelveli. “One in every four patent applications filed in India today originates from Tamil Nadu placing us at the forefront nationally,” he added.

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The Umagine event also saw several MoUs signed between the government and private companies. These included Better Compute Works, which will set up an AI data centre with an investment of ₹5,000 crore and create 1,450 jobs; Eros GenAI, which will expand its AI R&D centre with an investment of ₹3,600 crore and generate 1,000 jobs; and Phantom Digital Effects, which will expand its VFX operations in Chennai with an investment of ₹100 crore and provide jobs to 1,000 people, among others.

Speaking at the event, IT and Digital Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said that through StartupTN, the state has selected 40 startups to showcase their innovations at Umagine. These startups will also get a chance to pitch to venture capitalists and other ecosystem partners in Dubai, Singapore, and Sharjah, in partnership with the Dubai World Trade Centre.

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