Tamil Nadu Startup & Innovation Mission (TANSIM / StartupTN) · MSME Department
Tamil Nadu Startup & Innovation Mission (TANSIM / StartupTN) · MSME Department
Tamil Nadu Startup & Innovation Mission (TANSIM), SIDCO Corporate Office, 19-A, Rukmini Lakshmipathi Road, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008
Early-stage grant to fill funding gap for research & innovation from idea to marketplace (mind-to-market). Grants ₹10L (general) and ₹15L (Green Tech, Rural Impact, Women-led). Includes one-year accelerator, mentorship, and delegation support. The TANSEED (Tamil Nadu Startup Seed Grant Fund) Grant is one of Tamil Nadu’s flagship startup support initiatives designed to help startups move from the idea stage to a commercially viable business. It is managed through Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem agencies such as TANSIM (Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission).
The program follows a “Mind-to-Market” approach, meaning it supports innovators from the concept stage until the product reaches customers and generates business traction.
Objective of TANSEED Grant
The primary objective is to:
Reduce funding barriers for early-stage startups.
Encourage innovation-led entrepreneurship in Tamil Nadu.
Support scalable and technology-driven startups.
Promote regional innovation and job creation.
Enable startups to commercialise innovative products and services.
Funding Structure
General Startups
Grant support up to ₹10 lakh.
Special Category Startups
Grant support up to ₹15 lakh for:
Women-led startups.
GreenTech startups.
Rural impact startups.
Sustainability-focused startups.
This funding is usually non-equity based, meaning founders generally do not need to dilute ownership.
What the Grant Can Be Used For
The grant amount can be utilised for:
Prototype development.
Product engineering.
Hardware manufacturing.
Technology development.
Product testing and validation.
Market research.
Customer acquisition.
Branding and go-to-market activities.
Pilot projects.
IP filing and patent support.
Additional Benefits
1. Accelerator Program
Selected startups receive access to a one-year accelerator program that helps them:
Refine business models.
Improve market strategy.
Prepare for fundraising.
Build investor readiness.
2. Mentorship
Startups get mentorship from:
Industry experts.
Startup founders.
Investors.
Technical specialists.
3. Networking Opportunities
The program provides access to:
Investors and venture capitalists.
Corporate partners.
Government ecosystem partners.
Startup events and demo days.
4. Delegation Support
High-performing startups may get opportunities for:
National startup expos.
International trade delegations.
Global innovation conferences.
Investor roadshows.
Eligibility Criteria
Generally, startups should:
Be DPIIT-recognised.
Be registered in Tamil Nadu.
Be innovation-driven.
Have a scalable business model.
Usually be less than 10 years old.
Preference is often given to:
DeepTech startups.
Manufacturing startups.
Social impact ventures.
Sustainability-focused businesses.
Major Advantages
Early-stage risk capital without equity dilution.
Government credibility for future fundraising.
Strong ecosystem support.
Better investor visibility.
Market validation assistance.
For-profit Indian startup registered with TANSIM and DPIIT; headquartered or willing to relocate to Tamil Nadu; average profit last 3 years < ₹5L; innovative product/tech; not purely service-based.
Apply via Villgro-TANSIM portal (https://villgro.startuptn.in/) or StartupTN portal. Register as a TANSIM startup, complete eligibility check, and submit business plan with fund-usage details.