A Landmark Initiative Driving Tamil Nadu’s Start-Up Growth & Innovation

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), in partnership with Guidance Tamil Nadu, has launched a pioneering state-level start-up and innovation dashboard called ‘INNOVATION-TN.’ This platform marks a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, offering a holistic overview of Tamil Nadu’s thriving start-up ecosystem. By consolidating data, insights, and progress metrics, the dashboard connects start-up founders, investors, industries, financial institutions, and policy-makers on a single platform.

Government’s Vision for Inclusive Innovation

The launch of INNOVATION-TN is a turning point in Tamil Nadu’s entrepreneurial journey. Speaking on the occasion, Thiru T.R.B. Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotions and Commerce, Tamil Nadu, emphasized the significance of the initiative:

“The launch of the Tamil Nadu Innovation Platform marks a pivotal step in our journey towards promoting innovation and strengthening our entrepreneurial ecosystem. It reflects our government’s vision to position Tamil Nadu as the national leader in innovation, advanced manufacturing, and inclusive economic growth, ensuring that opportunities are accessible across every district, not just in metropolitan hubs.”

This vision underscores the state’s commitment to democratizing access to opportunities and ensuring innovation flourishes across rural and urban areas.

Tamil Nadu: A Powerhouse of Innovation

Tamil Nadu has emerged as one of India’s most industrialized states and is the second-largest industrial economy in the country. Over the years, it has built a reputation as a fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship. According to IIT Madras, as of August 2025:

• The state is home to nearly 19,000 start-ups.
• These start-ups have collectively generated more than 2.2 lakh jobs.
• Investments exceeding Rs 1,20,000 crores have been attracted.
• Forty-five start-ups have individually secured funding of Rs 200 crore or more.
• Tamil Nadu has 228 active incubators and start-up enabling organizations, the most significant number for any state in India.

This dynamic growth positions Tamil Nadu as an innovation epicenter, attracting national and international attention.

Academic-Industry Partnership for Strategic Growth

The collaboration behind INNOVATION-TN exemplifies the synergy between academia, industry, and government. IIT Madras brings academic excellence and research expertise, while Guidance Tamil Nadu ensures strategic engagement with industries and long-term policy alignment.

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, highlighted the importance of the dashboard in shaping policy and attracting investment:

“The dashboard will help policymakers focus on the different districts' sectoral strengths and develop suitable policies and programs. The dashboard also showcases the pool of start-ups to National and Global investors, attracting investments from the global Tamil diaspora and savvy angel and institutional investors.”

This reflects the platform’s dual role—supporting local policymakers while also enhancing the global visibility of Tamil Nadu’s start-up ecosystem.

Role of CREST and YNOS in INNOVATION-TN

The Centre for Research on Start-ups and Risk Financing (CREST), an Institute of Eminence Research Centre at IIT Madras, conceptualized INNOVATION-TN. CREST has played a pivotal role in bringing together data, insights, and frameworks to ensure the platform’s depth and reliability.

YNOS Venture Engine, an IIT Madras-incubated start-up, has also leveraged its expertise in developing comprehensive start-up and investor platforms to bring this dashboard to life. Together, CREST and YNOS ensure that the dashboard stands on robust academic research and practical market insights.

Formal Agreement and Implementation

The development of INNOVATION-TN was formalized through an agreement signed on July 23, 2025, in Chennai, between Guidance Tamil Nadu, IIT Madras, and YNOS. According to the agreement:

• IIT Madras will provide academic oversight and research inputs to ensure accuracy, reliability, and relevance.
• Guidance Tamil Nadu will promote long-term strategic engagement between academia and industry, ensuring institutional support and policy alignment.
• YNOS will contribute technical expertise to power the dashboard’s functionality.

This multi-stakeholder approach ensures that INNOVATION-TN is not only a repository of data but also a tool for actionable insights.

Empowering Policymakers, Investors, and Entrepreneurs

INNOVATION-TN has been designed to serve multiple stakeholders across the innovation spectrum:

• Policymakers can identify sectoral strengths across districts and design targeted policies.
• Investors can access detailed information on Tamil Nadu’s start-ups, enabling informed funding decisions.
• Start-up founders gain greater visibility among investors, industries, and financial institutions.
• Industry leaders can explore collaborations and innovation partnerships with emerging start-ups.

By catering to such a wide range of stakeholders, the platform creates a comprehensive ecosystem of support and growth.

Why INNOVATION-TN Matters

The introduction of INNOVATION-TN represents more than just a dashboard—it signifies Tamil Nadu’s bold step toward creating a data-driven, innovation-led economy. By centralizing information, the platform empowers decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

It highlights the state’s achievements and acts as a catalyst for further growth, making Tamil Nadu a model for other states aspiring to build sustainable innovation ecosystems.

Conclusion

The launch of INNOVATION-TN by IIT Madras and Guidance Tamil Nadu is a landmark in India’s innovation journey. With over 19,000 start-ups, robust job creation, significant investments, and the highest number of incubators in the country, Tamil Nadu is well-positioned to lead the national innovation agenda.

By offering real-time insights and connecting key stakeholders, the INNOVATION-TN dashboard is set to propel Tamil Nadu toward becoming the national leader in innovation, advanced manufacturing, and inclusive growth. This initiative reaffirms the state’s role as a trailblazer in India’s entrepreneurial landscape and sets the stage for a future where innovation drives progress across every district.