Tamil Nadu’s Deep Tech Startup Policy 2025 26 earmarks ₹1 billion to back 100 startups and strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
In a major boost to the State’s startup ecosystem, the Tamil Nadu government has unveiled India’s first deep tech startup policy, aimed at accelerating innovation and commercialisation of advanced technologies.
The Tamil Nadu Deep Tech Startup Policy 2025-26 was launched by Chief Minister MK Stalin at the fourth-edition of Umagine, the State’s flagship technology conference. The policy earmarks ₹1 billion in investments to support 100 startups working in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology and robotics.
Formulated by the Tamil Nadu Technology Foundation, the policy focuses on helping innovators translate cutting edge research into scalable and market ready solutions. A key feature is the Government as Early Adopter Programme, which will be rolled out across five government departments to pilot, validate and scale deep tech solutions. Each department will be backed by an annual budget of ₹500 million.
The government also plans to train over 10,000 students and professionals in deep tech skills and award 10 research fellowships to strengthen the talent pipeline. Speaking at the event, Mr Stalin said sustained investments in skill development, data centres and research infrastructure would help transform Tamil Nadu from an IT services hub into a comprehensive technology and innovation powerhouse.
He added that the State’s focus on tier two and tier three cities has resulted in software exports from 32 of its 38 districts. Notably, one in four patent applications filed in India now originates from Tamil Nadu.
