Chennai, India: HCL Foundation, which drives the corporate social responsibility agenda of global technology company HCL Tech in India, has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with two departments of the Government of Tamil Nadu, namely StartupTN and the Department of Employment and Training (DET), to enhance entrepreneurship and vocational education in the state.
StartupTN, under the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of Tamil Nadu, promotes innovation and startups and operates as a registered Section 8 company. Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, SVP of Global CSR at HCL Tech and Director of HCL Foundation, and Mr. Sivarajah Ramanathan, CEO of TANSIM, signed a three-year MoU for HCL Foundation to support 100 startups. This partnership aims to foster entrepreneurship among Tamil Nadu’s youth, promote inclusive innovation and strengthen the state’s startup ecosystem for sustainable development and economic growth.
The second MoU, which is a renewal of an existing collaboration, was signed between the Department of Employment and Training (DET), Government of Tamil Nadu, and HCL Foundation. The agreement was formalized by Mr. B. Vishnu Chandran, I.A.S., Director of Employment and Training, and Dr. Nidhi Pundir.
This five-year initiative aims to strengthen the vocational education system in the state through several measures, including the deployment of a Skill Rath (mobile lab and awareness unit) to increase outreach in communities, the upgradation of curriculum in select trades, training programs for both students and trainers of Government ITIs and the promotion of sports to encourage holistic development.
“We are committed to strengthening the entire startup ecosystem across Tamil Nadu. 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. With over 10,000 startups currently registered under StartupTN, 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 scale and succeed” said Mr. Sivarajah Ramanathan, CEO & Mission Director, StartupTN.
Mr. B. Vishnu Chandran, IAS, Director, Department of Employment and Training, Government of Tamil Nadu, said:
“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. We look forward to HCL Foundation’s continued support in training both students and instructors in these critical areas”.
“Our partnerships with the Government of Tamil Nadu mark a significant step towards empowering the youth and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. By providing access to vocational education and supporting startups, we aim to create sustainable opportunities that will contribute to the holistic development of the state. We firmly believe that nurturing talent and potential at the grassroots level is crucial for driving both personal and state-wide progress,” said Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, SVP of Global CSR at HCL Tech and Director of HCL Foundation.
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