17 startups from tier 2 cities receive govt grants, investments

Adding glory to the Indian startup journey, 12 startups incubated at the Department of Science and Technology (DST)-supported incubator received grant agreements worth Rs50 lakh at an event in Tamil Nadu, showcasing innovation from tier 2 cities.

The startups incubated at the DST-supported Sona Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (i-TBI) received grants under the DST–NIDHI initiative to advance their business ideas, it was an-nounced at the ‘Think Salem 2025’ startup conclave.

Moreover, The ‘Startup India Seed Fund’ at Sona Incubations invested Rs60 lakh in five startups.

With these, the ideas and ventures incubated at Salem span healthcare devices, mobility plat-forms, sustainability, drones, food innovation and applied deep-tech, reflecting the growing ma-turity of the Salem-centred startup ecosystem.

“Five startups picked up for the Rs 60 lakh grant from the Start-Up India Seed Fund, managed by Sona Incubation Foundation, include those working on management of diaper waste, millet-based food products, and an ed-tech startup offering immersive learning solutions,” said Dr S R R Senthilkumar, Executive Chair, Sona Incubations and Principal, Sona College of Technology.

Leading the high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) cohort is NervePro, a Salem-based healthcare deep-tech startup that has developed an affordable, portable nerve-monitoring system designed to protect facial nerves during high-risk ENT and skull-base surgeries.