By Gayatri Guha
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As the second largest contributor to India’s GDP and one of India’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems, Tamil Nadu is making strategic moves to foster innovation, attract investment, and drive sustainable economic growth with a vision to become a Top 20 Global Startup Hub by 2032. StartupTN’s Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit (TNGSS) 2025 is being organised to make this vision a reality.
Scheduled for October 9-10, 2025, at CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex, Coimbatore, TNGSS 2025 promises to be a transformative platform bringing together over 30,000 participants, including startup founders, investors, global thought leaders, and policymakers under the theme “Disrupt to Rise”.
A summit that defines the future
The two-day summit will feature 750+ exhibition stalls, 200+ international stakeholders from 35+ countries, 120+ national speakers, and 100+ investors, creating unparalleled opportunities for networking, collaboration, and business growth. With the participation of 10+ unicorns and 75+ incubators, TNGSS 2025 will spotlight emerging sectors including deeptech, climate tech, spacetech, and life sciences.
Among the key discussions that will shape tomorrow’s innovations are sessions on ‘Scaling Social Impact through Service Robotics’, exploring how robotics can address societal challenges while creating sustainable business models. The summit will also deep-dive into ‘Building Cybersecurity Resilience’, examining critical security frameworks for the digital age, and ‘Agri-Robotics for Climate Resilience’, showcasing how agricultural technology can combat climate change while enhancing food security.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will inaugurate the event, setting the stage for strategic discussions that will define the future of innovation in India and beyond.
Why Tamil Nadu is the startup destination
Tamil Nadu’s economic prowess speaks for itself. Contributing ~10% of India’s GDP and 12% of its manufacturing GDP with only 6% of the nation’s population, the state combines scale, efficiency, and inclusivity—remarkably, 41% of India’s women factory workers are from Tamil Nadu.
The state leads across industries: automobiles (home to Hyundai, BMW, Ashok Leyland, TVS), electronics (40% of India’s electronics exports, led by Foxconn, Pegatron, Tata Electronics), and is the iPhone capital of India, assembling 80% of the nation’s iPhones. Chennai has emerged as a thriving SaaS and IT hub, hosting global success stories like Zoho and Freshworks.
Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem has witnessed explosive growth, with over 12,000+ DPIIT-registered startups, a six-fold increase from just four years ago. Half of these startups are led by women, reflecting the state’s commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship. With five lakh graduates annually (including two lakh engineers) and the highest number of incubators in India, Tamil Nadu offers unmatched talent and structured support.
Opportunities for every stakeholder
For Startups: TNGSS 2025 will serve as a launchpad to funding, growth, and global connections. With 500+ investor pitches and speed meetings, startups can access funding opportunities while connecting with corporates and potential clients worldwide.
For Investors: The summit is your gateway to the next wave of high-growth ventures in one of Asia’s most dynamic startup ecosystems, where opportunities truly meet ambition.
For Aspirants: Whether you’re curious about startup fundamentals or carrying an idea you’ve always wanted to pursue, TNGSS 2025 is your first step into the entrepreneurial world through 10 masterclasses with global tech leaders, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Harvard Innovation Labs.
For Corporates: Gain front-row access to India’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem through the exclusive Corporate Pavilion, featuring open innovation challenges and partnership opportunities.
For Ecosystem Enablers: The summit strengthens incubators, accelerators, universities, and industry bodies that power the startup ecosystem, with dedicated sessions on building the future together.
Innovation at your fingertips
The TNGSS App, powered by AI matchmaking, will revolutionize networking by helping participants access event details, schedule meetings, and receive personalized recommendations. Special pavilions include the Government of India Pavilion featuring central and state schemes, and a dedicated SpaceTech Pavilion highlighting the rapidly growing space startup sector.
With 100 partner events organized across Tamil Nadu leading up to the summit, TNGSS 2025 represents more than just a conference—it’s a movement toward Tamil Nadu’s ambitious goal of a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Recognized as a best performer in Startup India’s State Ranking and ranked 18th in Asia Regional Rankings by Startup Genome, Tamil Nadu stands ready to welcome the world’s most ambitious entrepreneurs and visionary investors to Coimbatore this October.
