HCL Foundation Partners with Tamil Nadu Government to Foster Entrepreneurship and Vocational Education
Chennai, India: In a significant move to promote entrepreneurship and vocational education in Tamil Nadu, HCL Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of global technology company HCL Tech, has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key departments of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
The partnership aims to enhance entrepreneurship among Tamil Nadu's youth, promote inclusive innovation, and strengthen the state's startup ecosystem for sustainable development and economic growth. The three-year initiative will support 100 startups, providing mentoring, incubation, market linkage, and liaison support to help them scale and succeed.
HCL Foundation has signed a five-year MoU with the Department of Employment and Training (DET), another key department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The agreement aims to strengthen the vocational education system in the state through several measures, including deploying a Skill Rath mobile lab and awareness unit to increase outreach in communities, upgrading curriculum in select trades, training programs for both students and trainers of Government ITIs, and promoting sports to encourage holistic development.
"We are committed to strengthening the entire startup ecosystem across Tamil Nadu," said Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, SVP of Global CSR at HCL Tech and Director of HCL Foundation. "Our partnerships with the Government of Tamil Nadu mark a significant step towards empowering the youth and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship."
According to Mr. B. Vishnu Chandran, IAS, Director of Employment and Training, "I sincerely appreciate the efforts of HCL Foundation in strengthening the Industrial Training Institutes across the state. As India advances in technological innovation, it is imperative that our youth are equipped with future-ready skills such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and other emerging technologies."
The partnership between HCL Foundation and the Government of Tamil Nadu is seen as a major boost to entrepreneurship and vocational education in the state. With over 10,000 startups currently registered under StartupTN, the initiative aims to create sustainable opportunities that will contribute to the holistic development of the state.
StartupTN operates across 10 key verticals, with a strong emphasis on innovation, technology, and new ideas that drive job creation and economic growth in the state. The organization welcomes HCL Foundation's support in scaling up the startup ecosystem in Tamil Nadu.
"Innovative technologies are transforming industries worldwide," said Mr. Sivarajah Ramanathan, CEO & Mission Director of StartupTN. "With over 10,000 startups currently registered under our platform, we are proud to partner with a trusted and impactful organization like HCL Foundation. Through this collaboration, we aim to support 100 startups over the next three years—providing mentoring, incubation, market linkage, and liaison support to help them succeed."