Every thriving startup ecosystem has a few individuals who quietly shape its direction behind the scenes. While founders build companies and investors fuel innovation, institutions create the environment where entrepreneurship can flourish. In Tamil Nadu, one such institution has been StartupTN—and for the past four-and-a-half years, its journey has been closely associated with one name: Sivarajah Ramanathan.
In a significant leadership transition for one of India’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems, Sivarajah Ramanathan has stepped down as the Mission Director and Chief Executive Officer of StartupTN, bringing an end to a tenure that witnessed remarkable growth in entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup recognition across the state.
His resignation, which has now been accepted by the Tamil Nadu government, marks the close of an important chapter for StartupTN—a mission that has emerged as a key driver of the state’s startup ambitions.
Government Appoints Interim CEO
Following Ramanathan’s resignation, the Tamil Nadu government has appointed L. Nirmal Raj, Industries Commissioner and Director of Industries and Commerce, to hold the additional charge of Chief Executive Officer of StartupTN until further orders.
The appointment was formalised through a Government Order issued by Atul Anand, Secretary of the state’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department.
Interestingly, Ramanathan’s extended tenure was originally scheduled to continue until December 2026. However, he confirmed on Wednesday that the government had accepted his decision to step down earlier than planned.
A Farewell Marked by Gratitude
Announcing his departure through social media, Ramanathan reflected on his journey with StartupTN, describing it as one filled with “gratitude, pride and fulfillment.”
While stepping away from his official responsibilities, he made it clear that his association with Tamil Nadu’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is far from over. He said he would continue contributing to the state’s startup landscape in his personal capacity, signalling his continued commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.
Steering StartupTN During a Crucial Growth Phase
Ramanathan assumed office in January 2022, shortly after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government entrusted him with leading StartupTN—the state’s dedicated startup and innovation mission that had been launched in 2021.
His leadership coincided with a period when India’s startup ecosystem was undergoing rapid transformation. While several states were competing to attract entrepreneurs, investments and innovation, Tamil Nadu focused on building a more inclusive and geographically diverse ecosystem.
Under Ramanathan’s leadership, StartupTN expanded well beyond the traditional startup hubs.
Instead of concentrating entrepreneurial activity only in Chennai, the organisation actively worked to build startup ecosystems across Tier-II and Tier-III cities, bringing incubation, mentorship, networking opportunities and ecosystem support closer to aspiring entrepreneurs across the state.
This decentralised approach played a crucial role in broadening startup participation and creating opportunities for innovators from smaller cities and emerging entrepreneurial clusters.
Startup Numbers Witness Massive Growth
Perhaps the most visible indicator of StartupTN’s progress during Ramanathan’s tenure has been the sharp rise in officially recognised startups.
According to StartupTN, Tamil Nadu had 2,032 startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in 2021.
During Ramanathan’s leadership, that number surged dramatically to more than 14,700 DPIIT-recognised startups, reflecting the state’s expanding entrepreneurial base and strengthening innovation ecosystem.
The increase highlights not only the growing number of startups emerging from Tamil Nadu but also the success of institutional efforts aimed at supporting founders through policy, ecosystem development and capacity-building initiatives.
Building More Than Just Startup Numbers
While startup registrations grew rapidly, StartupTN also diversified its initiatives to address different stages of the entrepreneurial journey.
Over the past four years, the organisation introduced and strengthened programmes focused on:
- Startup funding and investor access
- Incubation support
- Mentorship networks
- Women entrepreneurship
- Rural innovation
- Deep-tech ecosystem development
These initiatives sought to ensure that startup growth was not confined to a handful of sectors or regions but spread across industries and geographies.
Women Entrepreneurs at the Centre of the Ecosystem
One of the standout achievements during Ramanathan’s tenure has been Tamil Nadu’s strong representation of women entrepreneurs.
According to StartupTN, nearly half of all DPIIT-recognised startups in the state are women-led, a figure that has consistently been highlighted as one of the defining strengths of Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem.
The milestone reflects sustained efforts to improve participation, encourage women founders and create a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.
National Recognition for Tamil Nadu
As the ecosystem matured, Tamil Nadu also earned recognition at the national level.
The state was recognised as one of the best-performing states in the Union government’s Startup Ranking framework, further strengthening its position among India’s leading startup destinations.
The recognition underscored the impact of policy reforms, institutional support and ecosystem-building initiatives undertaken over the past several years.
Shaping Tamil Nadu’s Startup Policy
Beyond programme implementation, Ramanathan also played an instrumental role in developing the Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Policy, 2023.
The policy laid out a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, improve startup support mechanisms and position startups as an important engine of the state’s economic growth.
It continues to serve as a guiding framework for Tamil Nadu’s long-term startup vision.
A Legacy That Will Shape the Next Phase
As StartupTN enters a new leadership phase, Ramanathan leaves behind an organisation that has grown significantly in scale, reach and impact.
From expanding startup activity beyond metropolitan centres and accelerating DPIIT recognition to promoting women entrepreneurship, deep-tech innovation and ecosystem-wide collaboration, his tenure coincided with one of the most transformative periods in StartupTN’s journey.
While leadership at the organisation changes, the momentum built over the past four-and-a-half years is expected to continue shaping Tamil Nadu’s ambition of becoming one of India’s leading innovation-driven economies.
For India’s startup ecosystem, Ramanathan’s departure is more than a routine administrative transition—it marks the conclusion of a chapter that helped establish Tamil Nadu as one of the country’s most vibrant and inclusive startup destinations.
