The Nehru Group of Institutions’ Technology Business Incubator (NGI TBI), in association with StartupTN, organised Catalyst Conclave 1.0 recently at the institution’s campus.
The conclave is a milestone initiative aimed at empowering leaders and coordinators of pre-incubation centers, MSME-HI units, EDC & IIC cells, and industrial R&D hubs across higher education institutions in Tamil Nadu.
It brought over 100 incubation heads, academic leaders, ecosystem partners, and startup enablers from across the state for meaningful exchange, collaboration, and forward-looking strategies in innovation.
The conclave was chaired by Krishnakumar, President of NGI TBI and Secretary of Nehru Group of Institutions.
The event was graced by the presence of Prakash, Member of Parliament, Erode Constituency, and Sivarajah Ramanathan, CEO of StartupTN.
In his keynote, Prakash reiterated Tamil Nadu’s aspiration to evolve into a trillion-dollar economy by 2030 and recognised the crucial role of startups and academic innovation in realising this vision.
He praised StartupTN’s efforts and applauded Sivarajah Ramanathan’s leadership in building a thriving statewide startup ecosystem.
He further acknowledged NGI’s consistent support for innovation and entrepreneurship since the launch of NGI TBI in 2018, recognising it as a leading technology incubator in Tamil Nadu.
As a testament to the innovation nurtured within the incubator, two NGI TBI startups – Team Greensprouts and Ediode Electronics were awarded EDII-TN IVP funding of Rs. 1,92,000 and Rs. 2,70,000 respectively, presented by the MP, in a ceremonious moment marked by a traditional Kumbh salute.
The event also featured notable product unveilings by startups incubated at NGI TBI.
Fungeeworks (formerly Ntireworks Technologies India Pvt. Ltd) introduced a newly developed, healthcare-focused product-marking a significant milestone in the company’s rebranding and growth journey.
Ediode Electronics launched a smart and sustainable range of electrical devices under its consumer brand, aiming to enhance both utility and accessibility.
These product launches highlighted the institutions’ pivotal role in nurturing early-stage innovations and transforming them into viable, market-ready solutions.
Sivarajah Ramanathan, commended the startups for their innovative contributions and progress. In his address, he gave an overview of StartupTN’s mission, funding pathways, and institutional incubation strategies.
He encouraged academic institutions to foster grassroots entrepreneurship and leverage the growing support structures across the state.
Alongside him, StartupTN’s Associate Vice President and a host of mentors, incubator leaders, and innovation facilitators contributed to enriching discussions and network building.
The conclave also featured dynamic knowledge sessions delivered by seasoned experts, including Premkumar , Associate Vice President, StartupTN; Mittu Tigi , CEO of AIC – IIIT Kottayam; Radhakrishnan, psychologist; and Vishal Nair, entrepreneur and educator from the Wadhwani Foundation.
Vaikundaselvan, Executive Director of NGI TBI, inaugurated the event with a welcome address, and Karthika, Research Associate at NGI TBI, delivered a warm vote of thanks.
