Deadline Date: Ongoing
The StartupTN has announced a call for applications for the Tamil Nadu Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Startup Fund, an equity funding initiative of the Government of Tamil Nadu aimed at supporting eligible startups during the 2025–26 period.
The focus areas and objectives of the fund include equity investment support, financial inclusion of entrepreneurs from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, scaling of startups, government-backed equity participation, and promotion of entrepreneurship among marginalised communities in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu SC/ST Startup Fund has been established as an exclusive initiative of the Government of Tamil Nadu to address the challenge of financial exclusion faced by SC/ST entrepreneurs. The fund is designed to invest directly in startups founded by entrepreneurs belonging to these communities and to enable their long-term growth through equity support.
To date, sanction orders worth Rs.60.80 crores have been issued under the fund, reflecting the government’s continued commitment to strengthening inclusive entrepreneurship within the state. The initiative is positioned as a key component of Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem, providing structured financial backing to eligible ventures.
Eligibility for the fund requires that more than 50 percent of the equity of the company or enterprise is held by one or more founders from the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe communities, with effective control of the enterprise vested in SC/ST shareholders. The company or enterprise must be domiciled in India, with its principal base of operations located within the country.
Applicants must be SC/ST entrepreneurs who are natives of Tamil Nadu or of Tamil origin, with preference given to those whose principal base of operations is within Tamil Nadu. These criteria ensure that the fund directly benefits the intended communities while contributing to regional economic development.
For more information, visit StartupTN.
