As per media reports, the Tamil Nadu government has introduced a special seed fund to support startups run by persons with disabilities and transgender persons. Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, T.M. Anbarasan, announced this initiative in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday.
“A special seed fund, in the form of a grant, will be introduced for start-ups run by these people to achieve inclusive growth in new-age entrepreneurship development, and Rs 50 lakh will be earmarked for this scheme,” Anbarasan stated during the debate on the demand for grants for his department. The Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (StartupTN) will identify beneficiaries.
As per media reports, In addition, new regional startup hubs will be established in Coimbatore and Tiruchi at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore. Over the past two years, regional startup hubs have been set up in Madurai, Tirunelveli, Erode, Salem, Hosur, Cuddalore, and Thanjavur. A Chennai Metro Startup Hub, equipped with all necessary facilities, has also been established.
Anbarasan announced that Global Startup Coordination Centres would be established in Singapore and the U.S. at a cost of Rs 1 crore, aiding Tamil Nadu-registered startups in expanding to global markets. A design studio, Thozhil Nayam, will be set up at StartupTN’s Chennai office for Rs 1 crore to assist startups with product design.
The second edition of the Tamil Nadu Startup Thiruvizha will be held in Madurai at a cost of Rs 1 crore, aiming to foster new-age entrepreneurship and awareness among younger generations, as well as generate market access and networking opportunities for startups.
Furthermore, a Tamil Nadu Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC) will be established at a cost of Rs 1.40 crore to help entrepreneurs and innovators file intellectual property rights, according to media reports.
