Tamil Nadu Govt Planning To Set Up Incubation Facility For Startups

Tamil Nadu government is planning to launch incubation facilities for startups to promote new ventures and assist upcoming entrepreneurs by creating an appropriate ecosystem. The startups will grow under the guidance of NASSCOM, the industry body for software companies. The first operational site is said to be built at Tidel Park, Chennai.

The warehouse will incubate and accelerate quality startups in partnership with the best incubators in the country. The startup warehouses in Tamil Nadu will attract startups and project a business-friendly face will be integrated into ‘the 10,000 start-up’ programme announced by NASSCOM.

An order from Tamil Nadu government says, “The government will make available 10% of space exclusively for Information Technology Incubation Centers as ‘Warehouses for Startups’ in all information technology parks developed by the government. This has been a major step to support young entrepreneurs, from 2014-15 onwards.”

The warehouse programme will help create awareness amongst entrepreneurs, build entrepreneurial capability through events and link investors and mentors with startups. The warehouse will incubate and accelerate quality start-ups in partnership with the best incubators in the country.

It has been noted that a dedicated board will be set up which will comprise of two Nasscom representatives, one leader from the Tamil Nadu startup community and one or more representatives from the Tamil Nadu government. The representatives of the state government will include state IT secretary and managing director of ELCOT to manage startup warehouse end-to-end programme

K Purushothaman, senior director, Nasscom, said, “It is a great opportunity for Nasscom to be associated with the government to create an ecosystem for tech start-ups in Tamil Nadu. We will build all our warehouse activities through this and bring Tamil Nadu under the startup radar.”

Tamil Nadu is the third state to plan dedicated warehouse after West Bengal and Karnataka.

The Tidel Park Startup Warehouse will have 10,000 sqft of carpet area, fully functional plug-and-play office space with 60 to 80 workstations and at least four conference rooms. It will have 100% power back-up, central air-conditioning, leased internet lines, cafeteria and basement car park.

Once the Chennai center becomes operational, IT parks promoted by the state government in Madurai, Trichy, Salem, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli and Hosur will also have dedicated hubs for startups.