In a move that could redefine the entrepreneurial landscape of Tamil Nadu, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has partnered with Guidance Tamil Nadu—the state’s nodal agency for investment promotion—to launch a state-level start-up and innovation dashboard, aptly named INNOVATION-TN.
The initiative, hailed as the first of its kind in India, is designed to provide a real-time, comprehensive overview of the state’s booming start-up ecosystem and act as a magnet for both national and global investment.
Tamil Nadu Start-Up Story: Scale and Momentum
As of August 2025, Tamil Nadu is one of the top entrepreneurial hubs in India:
- 19,000 start-ups across various sectors.
- 2.2 lakh jobs created.
- INR 1.2 lakh crore+ investment attracted.
- 45 start-ups with over INR 200 crore each.
- 228 incubators and enablers, the highest in the country.
These numbers show growth and Tamil Nadu’s intention to be the epicentre of innovation – leveraging its industrial depth, educational infrastructure and investor interest.
INNOVATION-TN: A Dashboard with Multiple Lenses
INNOVATION-TN is not just a data repository – it’s a tool to shape policy, connect stakeholders and accelerate the ecosystem.
According to Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT-Madras, the dashboard will help policymakers identify sectoral strengths across districts and hence target interventions based on regional strengths. At the same time, it will showcase the state’s start-up talent pool to national and international investors, including the global Tamil diaspora and seasoned venture capital networks.
Dr. Darez Ahamed, MD & CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu said “a platform for collaboration between industries, start-ups, R&D firms and academic institutions across the state”. By showcasing district level strengths, he said, corporates can integrate into local ecosystem and investors can tap into opportunities. The project is conceptualized by CREST (Centre for Research on Start-ups and Risk Financing) – an Institute of Eminence Research Centre at IIT-Madras along with IIT-M incubated start-up YNOS Venture Engine.
A MoU signed on 23 July 2025 between IIT-Madras, Guidance Tamil Nadu and YNOS outlines the partnership framework:
- IIT-Madras will provide academic oversight to ensure the dashboard is robust, reliable and relevant.
- Guidance Tamil Nadu will drive the strategic engagement between academia and industry and align the platform with state innovation priorities.
- YNOS Venture Engine will bring in its expertise in building digital platforms for start-ups and investors.
This tripartite model is being watched by other states and can be a national blueprint.
Political Support
The launch was blessed with Thiru T.R.B. Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotions and Commerce, Tamil Nadu. He called INNOVATION-TN “a major milestone in our journey to promote innovation and build our entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Rajaa said the government’s vision is to make Tamil Nadu the innovation and advanced manufacturing hub of India, with growth not limited to metro cities but across districts, so everyone can be part of it.
IIT Madras-Guidance Tamil Nadu-YNOS MoU: Significance
For angel investors, venture capitalists and institutions, INNOVATION-TN provides a roadmap of Tamil Nadu’s start-up landscape:
- Direct connections with incubators and financial institutions.
- District-wise insights into sectoral strengths.
- Access to vetted, data-backed start-ups.
As A. Thillai Rajan, Head of CREST at IIT-M, said the platform saves entrepreneurs a lot of time and effort by connecting them with the right incubators, investors and banks. This matchmaking improves efficiency and success rates.
The Bigger Picture
The dashboard launch is more than an academic or bureaucratic exercise—it’s Tamil Nadu’s intent to use data, research and policy to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem.
By institutionalising transparency, mapping resources and promoting cross sector collaboration, Tamil Nadu is not just strengthening its start-up base but also sending a signal to global investors that this is a state that values innovation, scalability and long term growth.
Conclusion
With INNOVATION-TN, Tamil Nadu and IIT Madras are staking a claim in India’s start-up story. As states compete for talent and capital, this shows how academic research, state policy and entrepreneurial energy can come together to create a sustainable, globally attractive ecosystem.
If it works, it may not just change Tamil Nadu’s economic trajectory but also become a national template for innovation led development.
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