The Tamil Nadu Startup Thiruvizha 2024, held on September 28-29 at the Tamukkam Convention Centre in Madurai, was a groundbreaking event that gathered startups, investors, and industry leaders to celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship across the state. Organized by the Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (StartupTN), the event highlighted the thriving ecosystem of Tamil Nadu’s startups and provided a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration.
Event Highlights:
- 20,000+ footfalls over 2 days
- 80+ inspiring speakers sharing insights and strategies for startup growth
- 140+ startup stalls showcasing innovative solutions
- 450+ exhibitors representing a wide array of industries
- 103 product launches bringing cutting-edge technologies to the forefront
- 60+ investor pitches, creating opportunities for funding and partnerships
- 100+ D2C food products on display, promoting Tamil Nadu’s food startups
- 18 esteemed investors supporting Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem
Standout Speakers
The event was packed with insightful talks from leading figures in various sectors. Some of the standout speakers included:
- Anbarasan T M – Hon’ble MSME Minister of Tamil Nadu
- Palanivel Thiaga Rajan – Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu
- Sivarajah Ramanathan – Mission Director @ StartupTN
- Suresh Sambandam – Founder & CEO, KissFlow
- Kumaravel CK – Co-Founder & CMD, Naturals
- Mohan K – Co-Founder & CEO, Ippo Pay Technologies P Ltd
- C K Kumaravel – CEO, Naturals
- Sujith Kumar – Founder, Maatram Foundation
The keynote address by Suresh Sambandam, Founder & CEO of Kissflow, was especially inspiring. He discussed the vast opportunities for startups in Madurai and stressed the importance of understanding customers, having the right mentors, and maintaining proper unit economics.
Personal Stories that Inspired:
- Mohan K, Co-Founder of Ippo Pay, shared a touching story of his struggles and how his perseverance led him to success. His journey served as a powerful reminder that resilience is key in entrepreneurship.
- C K Kumaravel, the founder of Naturals, shared his journey of creating a successful salon brand by focusing on providing affordable luxury to the masses.
- Sujith Kumar, Founder of the Maatram Foundation, shared his insights on empathy, education, and how social entrepreneurship can create a lasting impact. His foundation has helped over 3400 students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds pursue higher education.
Inspiring taalk by Gopinath
Interesting Startups to Watch
Here are some of the startups that stood out during Startup Thiruvizha 2024:
- IppoPay: A fintech startup providing financial solutions tailored for small businesses.
- Aero360: Innovating in the drone technology space, Aero360 is redefining aerial solutions for businesses.
- Onskin: Focused on revolutionizing the innerwear industry with innovative fabric blends, Onskin stands out for its commitment to comfort and skin health.
- Sivalai: A startup leveraging temperature-sensitive garments to provide continuous, non-intrusive temperature monitoring.
Women Entrepreneurs as Economy Builders
A special session on ‘Women Entrepreneurs as Economy Builders of the New Era’ was held, moderated by Dr. Uma Maheswari P, CEO, TN-RISE Women Startup Council. Esteemed panelists like Saraniya P (AgniKul Cosmos), Vedha Arun (NATIVELEAD), and Sharmila Devi Pounraj (SevenClover Coaching Services) shared their experiences and challenges as women leaders in the startup ecosystem.
Innovation Beyond Urban Hubs
Mr. Thulasiraj R D, Director-Emeritus at Aravind Eye Care, shattered the myth that innovation is confined to metropolitan cities. He emphasized that Madurai, with its globally recognized institutions like Aravind Eye Care, proves that innovation thrives beyond urban hubs.
Exhibition Inauguration and D2C Food Displays
The exhibition was inaugurated by Thiru Su. Venkatesan, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Madurai, in the presence of Tmt Archana Patnaik I.A.S, Secretary to Government, MSME Department, Government of Tamil Nadu. It featured:
- 100 D2C food wall displays promoting local food startups
- 450 exhibitor stalls, making this one of the largest startup exhibitions in the region
Plenary Session: Government’s Role in the Startup Ecosystem
A plenary session titled ‘Startup Ecosystem – Government Interface’ moderated by Thiru Sivarajah Ramanathan, Mission Director & CEO of StartupTN, discussed the various government initiatives supporting startups. The panelists included:
- Thiru R Ambalavanan, Director, EDII
- Thiru B Krishnamoorthy, Special Secretary, TIDCO
- Tmt Vanitha Venugopal, CEO, iTNT
Their insights provided valuable guidance for budding entrepreneurs to leverage government support in their startup journey.
After 2023’s Startup Thiruvizha the Tamil Nadu Startup Thiruvizha 2024 – Madurai Edition was a resounding success, offering a unique platform for startups to gain visibility, connect with investors, and learn from industry veterans. As Thiru Su. Venkatesan remarked during his inaugural speech, Tamil Nadu is set to become one of the leading startup hubs in India, thanks to events like Startup Thiruvizha that foster innovation and collaboration.
If you’re a startup looking to get featured or want to share your story, Submit Your Startup to Taalk.com and gain visibility among Tamil Nadu’s rising stars in entrepreneurship!
