Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Startup Summit 2024, hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), showcased the state's thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and ambitious growth plans.

Over 200 startups participated, highlighting Tamil Nadu's burgeoning role as a startup hub.

Mr. Karthik Jayaraman, Convener of the Startup Panel for CII Tamil Nadu, opened the summit with a focus on Tamil Nadu's legacy in fostering innovation emphasizing the state's commitment to building a trillion-dollar economy by 2030 through sustainable and inclusive growth.

Mr. Srivats Ram, Chairman of CII Tamil Nadu, noted that Tamil Nadu's startup ecosystem has expanded by 23%, hosting over 5,000 startups in Chennai alone and generating nearly a million jobs last year highlighting India's position as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, driven by a strong talent pool and educational infrastructure.

Mr. CK Ranganathan, Co-Chairman of the CII National Startup Council, discussed the need for educational reforms to foster critical thinking and risk-taking among students advocating for supportive policies to mitigate financial risks for startups, enhancing employment opportunities and societal innovation.

Ms. Vanitha Venugopal, CEO of iTNT Hub, highlighted Tamil Nadu's role in global tech leadership and the goal to increase the number of startups fivefold over the next five years. Mr. Sivarajah Ramanathan, CEO of Startup TN, announced the launch of credit courses for engineering students under the Naan Mudhalvan initiative and the Campus Startup Circle model to nurture youth entrepreneurship.

The summit concluded with Mr. Rahul Ganapathy announcing the upcoming release of CII's Coffee Table Book, The Hidden Gems of Tamil Nadu.

The event reinforced Tamil Nadu's status as a leading startup hub and fostered connections among entrepreneurs, government, and academia, setting a new standard for future entrepreneurial events.