StartupTN, the nodal agency for startups and innovation under the MSME Department, has launched the State’s first village startup community at Pillaiappampalayam in Annur Block, Coimbatore district, under its flagship ‘Gramam Thorum Puthozhil Scheme’.
According to a press release from StartupTN, the Pillaiappampalayam Startup Community, launched in association with Rural Women Technology Park (RWTP) of the PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, aims to empower rural innovators and encourage a decentralised and inclusive entrepreneurship movement across the region. The community will focus on strengthening the rural innovation ecosystem, empowering youth, women and differently abled persons, and supporting ideation, prototyping, and mentorship for early-stage entrepreneurs.
Bootcamps will be conducted for the entrepreneurs and select candidates will get a wider support.
‘Gramam Thorum Puthozhil’ aims to nurture 100 startups across 100 villages in Tamil Nadu. The programme delivers structured startup enablement to the grassroots, helping bridge the rural–urban divide in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Under the scheme, StartupTN’s 10 regional hubs will each develop rural startup ecosystems in ten villages, offering incubation support, market validation, legal and branding assistance, and connections with Corporate and CSR partners.
One eligible venture from each village will be supported through an equity-free TANSEED grant of ₹1 lakh to accelerate prototype development and early market access.
A centralised digital dashboard will track progress, document best practices, and support scale-up across the State.
In the first phase at least 100 DPIIT-recognised rural startups will be established under the scheme, generating local employment, and fostering inclusive and sustainable growth in the State, the release said.
Published – November 27, 2025 07:08 pm IST
