FLO Chennai had the privilege to collaborate with the Tamil Nadu Technology Hub, a joint initiative by the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu, to nurture the DeepTech ecosystem. In collaboration with FLO, Anna University, and EDII – ABIRF, they hosted the ‘DeepTech Sensitization Drive – Trichy Edition’ at the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium, Anna University Regional Engineering College – Tiruchirappalli Campus.
The event aimed at sensitizing researchers, principals, and heads of departments on the DeepTech entrepreneurial ecosystem, attracting 300 participants from 63 institutions across 7 districts (Trichy, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, hanjavur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Cuddalore). The organizers were honored to have Dr. M. Selvam, Vice-Chancellor of Bharathidasan University, and Ms. A. Santhakumari, Additional General Manager of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) – Trichy, as Chief Guests. They highlighted the disruptions occurring in the DeepTech landscape and emphasized the critical role academia plays in this transformation.
The panel discussion on “Democratizing DeepTech: Bridging the Accessibility Gap for Startups and SMEs” featured insightful contributions from Ms. Vanitha Venugopal, CEO of iTNT Hub; Mr. A J Balasubramanian, Director of Aigilx Health and Startup Mentor; with Ms. Arasi Arul, Founder & CEO of 60Plus India, moderating the session. This discussion, followed by a Q&A, focused on bridging the gap between startups and subject matter experts, providing valuable insights.
Additionally, the event showcased some successful DeepTech startups, including Oneomics and Hilife.AI, as well as notable DeepTech academicians.
The event aimed to sensitize researchers, principals, and heads of departments about the DeepTech entrepreneurial ecosystem, successfully increasing awareness and understanding of the disruptive potential of DeepTech technologies. By bringing together experts and stakeholders, the event provided valuable insights into this rapidly evolving field. Through panel discussions and Q&A sessions focused on bridging the gap between startups and subject matter experts, the event encouraged DeepTech entrepreneurship, inspiring and empowering academicians and aspiring entrepreneurs to explore new opportunities.
The panel discussion on “Democratizing DeepTech: Bridging the Accessibility Gap for Startups and SMEs” addressed the barriers and challenges faced by startups and SMEs in accessing DeepTech technologies. By involving participants from 63 institutions across 7 districts, the event also strengthened the regional DeepTech ecosystem. It fostered collaboration, knowledge sharing, and resource pooling among institutions and organizations, promoting the growth and development of the DeepTech sector in the region.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE IMPACTED: Around 300 participants attended the event, including 35 women attendees.