The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh, today urged the Government of Tamil Nadu to work in close coordination with the Centre to provide a much-needed impetus to the startup ecosystem in the State.

  

Addressing the inaugural session of the Research, Industry, Start-up and Entrepreneurship (RISE) Conclave in Chennai, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the unprecedented growth of startups in India over the past decade, attributing it to the robust and proactive policies of the Central Government. He noted that the number of registered startups has grown exponentially from around 350 in 2014 to over 2 lakh today.

  

While acknowledging Tamil Nadu’s contribution with 34,000 registered startups, the Minister observed that the State has significant untapped potential. He emphasized the need to create an enabling and conducive ecosystem, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, to accelerate innovation-driven entrepreneurship. He encouraged tech-savvy youth from vibrant growth centres like Chennai and Coimbatore to leverage Central Government initiatives and policies to scale up startup ventures.

Dr. Jitendra Singh underlined that successful startups have been instrumental in employment generation, creating over 21 lakh jobs across the country.

Referring to the special focus accorded to Tamil Nadu by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the Minister cited the installation of the historic Sengol, a symbol of the Chola dynasty, in the new Parliament building as a mark of respect for the State’s rich heritage. He also highlighted key welfare and development initiatives in Tamil Nadu, including 40 lakh Ujjwala connections, loans sanctioned to 4 lakh street vendors, construction of 12 lakh houses with Central assistance, and the operation of eight Vande Bharat Express trains in the State.

Outlining the priorities of scientific laboratories, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Government has taken significant steps to foster collaboration among technology providers, academic institutions, industry, and the student community to ensure seamless transfer of innovations for public benefit. He noted that over 120 institutions showcased their exhibits at the RISE Conclave, reflecting the dynamic and supportive environment cultivated for the startup ecosystem.

During the event, the Minister launched a Centre of Excellence established by Larsen & Toubro in Kanchipuram. In his presence, Umbrella Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were also exchanged between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and academic institutions along with their incubation centres to strengthen structured collaboration.

Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, and Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the government’s collaborative efforts with academia and industry to facilitate the deployment of technologies developed by government-funded laboratories.

The RISE Conclave has been organized to create a vibrant national platform that strengthens partnerships among research institutions, industry, startups, and academia, in line with the Government’s commitment to positioning India as a global innovation leader.

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SG/RJ

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