Three start-ups from the State, including one incubated in the Indian Institute of Technology - Madras, have been awarded the entrepreneurship award under the ecosystem builder category.
They were among the 36 awardees supported by the Entrepreneurship Development Innovation Institute. Planys Technologies, incubated at IIT-M’s incubation cell, is a pioneer in underwater robotic inspection in the country. It envisions a new course in the maintenance and inspection industry. In its four years of existence it has executed projects in 11 States. The company has set up a subsidiary in the Netherlands and is expanding across the European Union and the Middle East.
Sura (meaning shark in Tamil) is a women’s collective stitching unit in Cuddalore. A group of seven mothers united to meet the education cost of their children. With support from micro credit they bought sewing machines and underwent training in sewing. The women design and produce customised cotton bags, pouches, bed covers and pillows. The team employs 10 women and has generated a revenue of ₹6 lakh last year.
Sabariguru Repair Services, a home appliance repair centre, was founded by physically challenged Shaktivel, an electrician by training. He and his wife manage the operations. He encouraged her to complete electrical and mobile phone repair training. The shop serves around 10 customers and the average sale is for ₹400 a day. He wants to obtain bank loans to establish an enterprise.
The award from Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship comprises ₹5 lakh and a trophy.
“This year, of the 6,098 applications received from across India, 654 were from Tamil Nadu, the third highest in the country. It is a matter of pride and honour that four of the 37 winners are from Tamil Nadu,” said Tamaswati Ghosh, CEO of IIT-M incubation cell, which partnered with the Entrepreneurship Development and Innovative Institute (TN). EDII also received ₹10 lakh award for supporting start-ups.
