The Azure Society of Excellence (ASE), sponsored by Microsoft Azure, has officially partnered with the Tamil Nadu Technology Hub (iTNT) to accelerate startup growth, AI adoption, and digital transformation across the Tamil Nadu innovation ecosystem.
Empowering Startups through Technology and Mentorship
The ASE-iTNT partnership aims to create a thriving platform where startups gain access to world-class resources, training, and expert guidance from the Microsoft ecosystem. The collaboration focuses on three pillars:
- Tech Powerhouse: Founders will participate in specialized Microsoft Azure workshops, gaining practical exposure to cloud computing, AI tools, and emerging digital solutions to scale their ventures effectively.
- Microsoft for Startups Advantage: Startups will be onboarded into the prestigious Microsoft for Startups program — a global initiative offering cloud credits, product support, business mentorship, and market acceleration resources.
- Expert Guidance: Through one-on-one mentorship sessions with AI specialists, startups will receive technical insights, scaling strategies, and architectural support to fast-track product innovation.
Together, these initiatives will bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, enabling startups to compete on a global stage.
A Convergence of Visionary Leaders
The signing ceremony brought together some of the most influential voices in governance, technology, and enterprise. The event was graced by:
- P. Thiaga Rajan, Hon'ble Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services
- Dr. J. Jeyaranjan, Vice Chairman, State Planning Commission
- S. Krishnan, I.A.S., MeitY Secretary
- Dheeraj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, IT & Digital Services Department
- Kishore Jayaraman, President, Rolls-Royce India & South Asia
- Srivats Ram, Chairman, CII Tamil Nadu State Council
The gathering also included industrial leaders, university heads, investors, academic experts, and startup founders, all committed to accelerating DeepTech innovation in India.
Strengthening the Tamil Nadu Startup Ecosystem
The ASE-iTNT alliance reinforces Tamil Nadu's vision of becoming a global innovation hub by fostering collaboration between public institutions and private technology partners.
Through Microsoft's global reach and iTNT's local expertise, this initiative is set to create opportunities for startups in AI, Cloud, DeepTech, and Digital Transformation, driving long-term economic growth and technological self-reliance.
Acknowledgments
A special note of appreciation to Shivendra Kothandaraman and Vanitha Venugopal for their invaluable support and vision in making this collaboration a reality.
Stay tuned as we continue to empower innovators, scale startups, and shape the future of technology from Tamil Nadu to the world.
