To strengthen its innovation-led growth agenda, the Tamil Nadu government has unveiled India’s first dedicated Deep Tech Policy.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin released the Tamil Nadu Deep Tech Startup Policy 2025-2026 (TNDTSP) at UmagineTN 2026. The policy aims to position the State as the country’s premier deep tech hub by fostering advanced innovation, driving industrial growth, and empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, while building a robust ecosystem for deep and emerging technologies to accelerate Tamil Nadu’s journey towards a $1 trillion economy.
The iTNT Hub will serve as the nodal implementing agency for the TNDTSP. It will house a dedicated team to coordinate all initiatives, manage funds, and act as a single point of contact for stakeholders. “The policy sets clear priorities to build a globally competitive deep tech ecosystem through targeted initiatives that position Tamil Nadu as a preferred destination for deep tech entrepreneurship,” Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said in the policy note.
The goal of the policy is to support 100 deep tech start-ups and mobilise ₹100 crore of public and private investments, including venture capital and co-investments. Through this policy, the State intends to achieve 10 technology transfer or licensing deals from academic and research and development (R&D) institutions for commercialisation by industry or start-ups and facilitate 25% growth in annual patent filings by deep tech start-ups.
Over 10,000 students and professionals will be trained in deep tech skills (artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, biotech, etc.,) through specialised skilling programmes and 10 research fellowships will be awarded. The policy is open to deep tech start-ups, including early-stage or growth-stage ventures registered in Tamil Nadu that are built on novel scientific/technological discoveries, own or develop proprietary intellectual properties, and target large unmet market needs with high-growth potential.
It is also open to universities and technical institutes engaging in deep tech R&D, technology transfer, or commercialisation partnerships (for example, by spinning off start-ups or collaborating on product development). Established companies, corporate R&D labs, global capability centres, and industry consortia investing in or partnering with deep tech start-ups — including through co-innovation projects, corporate venture capital, or pilot deployment of new technologies — can be a part of this journey.
To qualify for financial support under the policy, the company, start-up, or entity must have either a registered office in Tamil Nadu, or an operational presence such as a back-office, R&D facility, or any active business operations in Tamil Nadu. The entity must employ at least 25% of its total workforce (excluding contract employees) within Tamil Nadu.
Published – January 08, 2026 07:43 pm IST
