 launched by the MSME Minister T.M. Anbarasan.){kind=link}
Tamil Nadu’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Minister T.M. Anbarasan launched the Tamil Nadu Incubator Maturity Model (TNIMM) report during the Tamil Nadu Start-up Incubators Summit held in Chennai. This framework aims to assess and elevate start-up incubators across the state by establishing key parameters and criteria for their advancement.
Archana Patnaik, Secretary for the MSME Department, and Sivarajah Ramanathan, Mission Director and CEO of Startup TN, graced the occasion, reaffirming the collective commitment to fostering a conducive ecosystem for start-up success.
Empowering Start-up Growth
The TNIMM serves as a guide for incubators, offering insights into best practices and standards to foster the growth of early-stage start-ups. Incubators play a pivotal role in nurturing the budding entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tamil Nadu by providing crucial support, resources, and guidance.
Minister Anbarasan emphasized the initiative’s broader objective of positioning Tamil Nadu as the preferred start-up destination in India. He highlighted the importance of enhancing the state’s competitiveness on the global stage. The TNIMM sets a benchmark for incubators to aspire towards, encouraging continuous improvement and innovation within the ecosystem.
Also read: PM Narendra Modi Urges MSMEs to Embrace Global Standards
Financial Support and Women Empowerment
As part of the summit, Minister Anbarasan allocated ₹5 lakh to 15 selected incubators for sector-focused activities. This allocation further underscores the state’s commitment to supporting start-up initiatives. Additionally, ₹14.70 lakh was disbursed to 15 women entrepreneurs under Startup TN’s Women Initiative. This initiative aims at facilitating their growth by reimbursing expenses incurred towards incubator rentals and facilities.
In a bid to streamline start-up support services, Minister Anbarasan launched the ‘Startup TN Catalyst’ portal. This platform connects start-ups with suitable incubators, aiming to facilitate partnerships and collaborations. Furthermore, Startup TN smart cards were distributed to 52 incubators. These cards grant access to essential services such as auditing, branding, and marketing at discounted rates. Additionally, partnerships were established with leading banks, including HDFC, State Bank of India, Federal Bank, and Yes Bank. These collaborations aim to enhance accessibility to resources and support for start-ups.
Spurring Start-up Growth
The MSME Minister Anbarasan highlighted the remarkable growth of Tamil Nadu’s start-up ecosystem, with the number of start-ups surging from 2,300 in March 2021 to over 7,600. Notably, nearly 50% of these start-ups are spearheaded by women, underscoring the state’s commitment to fostering gender-inclusive entrepreneurship.
Charting a Path to Economic Transformation
With the aim of propelling Tamil Nadu towards a $1 trillion economy, Minister Anbarasan urged start-ups to collaborate with MSMEs to leverage synergies and drive sustainable economic growth. The Tamil Nadu Incubator Maturity Model report and the initiatives launched at the summit represent significant strides towards realizing the state’s vision of becoming a thriving hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.