Madurai made history in the Southern Tamil Nadu technology landscape with the launch of its first regional center under the Tamil Nadu Information Technology and Digital Services (iTNT) hub on September 26, 2025. Launched at Anna University's regional campus, the new center signals the state's growing emphasis on building deep-tech and emerging-tech startups and stimulating a new generation of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
The launch ceremony was graced by State Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, accompanied by business leaders and scholars. The Madurai center is the second in Tamil Nadu, expanding the connectivity and benefits of the iTNT ecosystem to a greater number of researchers, startups, academic institutions, and industries in the south.
Designed to be more than an open office environment, the hub provides advanced physical facilities, shared space, and access to technology transfer programs. Startups and researchers can become a part of all iTNT programs, gaining access to mentorship, innovation funding, and industry partnership needed for rapid growth and successful market entry.
Importantly, the department will also create its inaugural satellite office for the iTNT hub at Thiagarajar College of Engineering in Madurai. This will further promote the backing of the ecosystem for local technology talent, promote collaboration between academia, and bridge the gap between research and industry application.
Stakeholders and authorities expressed optimism that the Madurai regional centre would be a stimulus to entrepreneurship, boost employment generation, and position southern Tamil Nadu at the cutting edge of technology innovation. The fact that the facility exists proves Tamil Nadu's aggressive effort towards strengthening its standing as a deep-tech investment and development destination of choice.
By the co-location of industry, startups, and academia, iTNT hub aims at developing future technology leaders as well as entrepreneurs, resulting in an innovative diversity-rich culture in the southern suburbs
