In a significant advancement for the state's startup landscape, Tamil Nadu has introduced the state’s Deep Tech Startup Policy 2025-26, allocating an investment of ₹100 crore to support 100 startups.
Chief Minister MK Stalin launched the policy during the 4th edition of UmagineTN 2026, Tamil Nadu’s premier technology conference, on Thursday.
The policy seeks to achieve 10 technology transfer or licensing agreements with academic and R&D institutions for commercialisation by industry or startups, and facilitate a 25% increase in annual patent filings by deep tech startups.
Additionally, it aims to train over 10,000 students and professionals in deep tech skills, such as AI, ML, robotics, and biotech, through specialised skilling initiatives, and to award 10 research fellowships.
Moreover, it aims to enable the procurement of deep tech solutions worth ₹10 crore through public- and private-sector market-access programmes, including innovation-friendly procurement schemes. Finally, the policy aims to promote global market access for 50 deep tech startups through export facilitation, trade missions, and international collaborations.
The state government aims to establish a ‘Government as Early Adopter Programme’ across five departments. It will support the pilot deployment, field validation, and scaling of deep tech solutions. Each department will have an annual budget of ₹5 crore, with the goal of implementing five proof of concepts or solution adoptions each year.
The policy encompasses all ecosystem participants involved in deep tech innovation, including Tamil Nadu-registered startups, academic institutions, and industry players. This includes corporate R&D labs, research consortia, incubators, accelerators, and any organisations that promote the growth and adoption of deep tech solutions.
Beyond funding targets, the policy, intended for a five-year extension, looks to position Tamil Nadu as India’s premier deep tech hub, aligned with its ambition for a $1 trillion state economy. It proposes deep tech innovation hubs, centres of excellence, and sector-specific test beds to support live validation for at least 25 startups annually, alongside TRL-based funding from early R&D to scale-up and a Deep Tech Fund of Funds to attract patient capital.
The policy also prioritises IP creation and retention within the state, streamlines technology transfer through the iTNT Technology Transfer Office, and implements a single-window approach via the iTamilnadu Technology (iTNT) Hub.
Sectoral priorities span semiconductors, EVs, biotech, clean energy, aerospace and space tech, with emerging focus areas such as quantum computing, photonics, and advanced materials, while embedding a govtech and social-impact lens for adoption in public services.
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