Lok Sabha Question No. 5097 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Recognised Startups in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Tharaniventhan M S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5097. TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 24 TH  MARCH, 2026.

## RECOGNISED STARTUPS IN TAMIL NADU

## 5097.  SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the details of the total number of Startups registered during the last two years in Tamil Nadu;
- (b) the number of people employed through the recognized Startups so far in Tamil Nadu and the percentage of women participations;
- (c) the details of the efforts being made by Government to promote Startups; and
- (d) whether Government has any special action plan for Startups, especially in the State of Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

- (a): Startup India initiative was launched on 16th January 2016, with an intent to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation, startups and  encouraging investments in the startup ecosystem of the country.

As on 31st January 2026, 2,12,283 entities have been recognised as startups by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). In the State of Tamil Nadu, 14,099 entities have been recognised as startups by DPIIT as on 31 st  January 2026.

The total number of entities recognized as startups by DPIIT in the last two years  viz.  2024  and  2025,  in  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu,  is  2,656  and  3,201 respectively.

- (b): In the State of Tamil Nadu, entities which have been recognised as startups by DPIIT have reportedly created over 1.46 lakh direct jobs as on 31 st  January 2026. Further, as on 31 st  January 2026, of the total 14,099 entities recognised as startups in the State of Tamil Nadu, 7,042 entities (approximately 49.9%) have at least one-woman director/partner.
- (c) & (d): Under the Startup India initiative, the Government unveiled an action  plan  for startups  comprising  of  schemes  and  incentives  envisaged  to  create  a vibrant startup ecosystem in the country including in the State of Tamil Nadu. The Action Plan comprises of 19 action items spanning across areas such as 'Simplification and  handholding', 'Funding support and  incentives'  and 'Industry- academia partnership and incubation'.

For  attaining  specific  objectives  of  the  action  plan,  various  programs  are implemented by the Government under the Startup India initiative to recognize, develop,  promote,  and  empower  the  Startup  ecosystem.  All  the  steps undertaken by the Government under the said initiative are inclusive and are implemented across States/Union Territories (UTs), including the State of Tamil Nadu.

The flagship Schemes namely, Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed  Fund  Scheme  (SISFS)  and  Credit  Guarantee  Scheme  for  Startups (CGSS)  support  startups  at  various  stages  of  their  business  cycle.  The Government  also  implements  periodic  exercises  and  programs  including States' Startup Ranking, National Startup Awards, and Innovation Week which play an important role in the holistic development of the startup ecosystem. Government also encourages and supports ecosystem led initiatives such as Startup  Mahakumbh  which  serve  as  a  vibrant  platform  for  stakeholders  to network and collaborate. Initiatives to improve market access and enable public procurement which support startups in growing and scaling up their businesses have also been undertaken. These measures are complemented by regulatory reforms and other ecosystem development events  and programs.

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