Thu Apr 24 08:56:45 UTC 2025: **Tamil Nadu Startup Summit Highlights Need for Inclusive Tech Policy**
CHENNAI, INDIA (April 24, 2025) – The Tamil Nadu Startup Summit 2025, held in Chennai on Thursday, underscored the necessity for a policy framework that promotes inclusivity within the state’s burgeoning tech startup ecosystem. The summit, organized by The Hindu in conjunction with SRM Institute of Science and Technology and StartupTN, featured a session focused on building a diverse and inclusive startup environment.
Panelists emphasized the importance of inclusive technology and the role of academic institutions in fostering such an environment. Prateek Madhav, co-founder and CEO of AssisTech Foundation, highlighted the significant growth of assistive technology startups in India, rising from a handful to over 500, many based in Tamil Nadu. He stressed the need to incorporate assistive technology into policy frameworks, noting that persons with disabilities contribute 5-7% to the country’s GDP and deserve greater investment and support.
Subalalitha C.N., a professor at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, discussed the institute’s role in cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among students, encouraging them to commercialize their ideas through collaborations. Jyotirmayee Dash, managing director of TeraLumen Solutions Private Limited, shared her experiences building a startup based on terahertz technology, emphasizing the importance of diversification, collaboration, and dedication in navigating the deep tech sector.
The session, moderated by Ramya Kannan, Chief of Bureau, Tamil Nadu, The Hindu, concluded with a consensus on the crucial need for inclusive policies to ensure that the growth of Tamil Nadu’s tech sector benefits all members of society.
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