Innovation Challenge

iTNT Hub hosts Innovation Challenges in collaboration with the Government and Industry to foster groundbreaking and transformative solutions in emerging technologies by actively engaging startups, researchers, and academic institutions. Winners and other top placed solutions are provided with incubation and acceleration support to launch their dream ventures. The Hub also facilitates Technology Transfer, mutually benefiting the problem solver and the industry.

The Process

Past Challenges

Geospatial Innovation Challenge

iTNT Hub conducted ‘Geospatial Innovation Challenge’ to drive cutting-edge solutions in agricultural mapping. Geospatial technologies are revolutionizing industries with advanced tools for location intelligence, spatial analytics, and real-time data visualization. This challenge invited startups and student entrepreneurs to leverage geospatial innovation to tackle critical challenges in mapping agricultural landscapes.

The ‘Geospatial Innovation Challenge’ was launched by the Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Digital Services, Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, in the presence of the Additional Chief Secretary to Government for IT&DS Department, Thiru. Kumar Jayant, I.A.S., and stakeholders including industry, startups, innovators, researchers, incubators, corporates and investors, at UmagineTN 2025.

The Winners

Farmwise AI Pvt Ltd
X Boson AI

Public Sector Innovation Challenge

iTNT Hub in collaboration with Amazon AWS conducted Public Sector Innovation Challenge to empower startups in developing AI-driven solutions for real-world public sector challenges. Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing industries by enhancing efficiency, fostering creativity, and solving complex challenges across sectors like healthcare, finance, agriculture, and public services. Recognizing AI’s transformative potential.

The grand challenge was launched by the Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Digital Services, Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, in the presence of the Additional Chief Secretary to Government for IT&DS Department, Thiru. Kumar Jayant, I.A.S., and stakeholders including industry, startups, innovators, researchers, incubators, corporates and investors, at UmagineTN 2025.

The Winners

AI Tamizh Pvt Ltd
Cittaa Health Service Pvt Ltd
Vyuhaa Med Data Pvt Ltd

Unlock the Future

iTNT Hub launched the ‘Unlock the Future’ Innovation Challenge, opening the doors to startups, seasoned developers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and creative problem-solvers across the State in the Emerging and Deeptech landscape. The challenge focusing on six sectors - Climate Tech, Sustainability, Energy Generation, Healthcare, FinTech, and Smart Manufacturing - attracted solutions from 509 across Tamil Nadu.

Ten finalists were shortlisted for a two-day mentorship program, followed by an opportunity to pitch before a jury of investors and subject matter experts on the Pitch Day. The winners of the top 3 places were given a cash prize of Rs. 1.5 lakh each. The winners and runners-up will be extended with incubation and acceleration support to establish their dream startup ventures.

The Winners

Daijo Pvt Ltd
Vyuhaa Med Data Pvt Ltd
Climatequant Tech Pvt Ltd

The winners were recognized at the iTNT Industry Conclave, September 2024, in the presence of the Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Digital Services Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and other eminent personalities.

Break the Loop

iTNT Hub and Rolls-Royce launched the ‘Break the Loop’ Innovation Challenge to address the rising threat of heat waves and their societal and environmental impacts. Targeting DPIIT-registered startups and academic experts, the challenge focused on sustainability, energy generation, and climate tech, prioritizing patentable ideas attracted entries across Tamil Nadu.

The Innovation Challenge demonstrated the power of strategic partnerships in sparking transformative solutions to global issues while nurturing entrepreneurial talent in emerging technologies. The winners with groundbreaking solutions have been inducted to the PATHFINDER incubation program of iTNT to realize their dreams by turning their solutions into innovative ventures.

The Winners

Karotimam Innovations Pvt Ltd
Climatequant Tech Pvt Ltd (CarbonCompete)
Kalki Energy Salvation
Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science & Technology

The winners were recognized at the iTNT Day, July 2024, in the presence of the Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Digital Services Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and other eminent personalities.