Tamil Nadu Launches India’s First Deep Tech Startup Policy | 06 Feb 2026

Why in News? 

Tamil Nadu unveiled India’s first dedicated Deep Tech Startup Policy at the UmagineTN 2026 technology summit in Chennai. 

Key Points 

• Policy Launch: The Deep Tech Startup Policy 2025‑26 was launched by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the UmagineTN 2026 summit held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.  
  • Tamil Nadu became the first Indian state to introduce a dedicated deep tech startup policy. 
• Implementation: The policy will be coordinated and facilitated by the Tamil Nadu Technology (iTNT) Hub, the nodal agency under the state government.  
• Investment & Startup Support: The policy targets support for 100 deep tech startups and plans to mobilise ₹100 crore in public and private investment over the next five years to bridge the gap between research and market deployment. 
  • The policy emphasises cutting‑edge sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, biotechnology, space technologies, and clean energy, which typically involve advanced scientific research and long gestation periods. 
• Ecosystem Development: It aims to facilitate technology transfer from academic and research institutions to startups, encourage patent creation, and strengthen infrastructure and capital support for innovation. 
• Government Support: The policy includes provisions like a “Government as Early Adopter” programme to pilot and validate deep tech solutions in select government departments, aiding startups in proving their technologies.