Key Points
- Umagine summit scheduled for 21 to 23 September in Chennai
- Eight Chennai tech startups representing state at Davos 2024
- Focus spans 11 technology verticals including climate tech and Web 3.0
Tamil Nadu will host Umagine, billed as Asia’s largest technology and innovation summit, from 21 to 23 September in Chennai, with the state government positioning the event as an annual flagship initiative to strengthen its deep tech ecosystem.
The inaugural three-day summit will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, academics and policymakers from across the world, according to a statement from the state’s Information Technology department. The government intends to hold the event annually starting this year.
By the numbers
Key figures from this story- 8
- Chennai startups at Davos
- 11
- technology verticals covered
- 3 days
- summit duration in September
Umagine will showcase emerging technology capabilities in Tamil Nadu and promote deep tech companies, meaning firms working on advanced scientific or engineering innovations that require substantial research and development. The summit will focus on 11 technology verticals: climate tech, health tech, education technology, agricultural technology, Web 3.0, deep tech, smart infrastructure, smart and green manufacturing, biotechnology, platforms and gig economy, creative industry and social entrepreneurship.
Global outreach
The state government is currently reaching out to global companies at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, where it has established an Umagine Lounge. Eight Chennai-based technology companies have sent their founders to Davos to represent Tamil Nadu: Mind and Mom, Impactree, Kandee Factory, Mage Data, Twixor, Aquaconnect, Veehive and Raptee Energy.
The state IT department said the summit aims to position Tamil Nadu as a destination of choice for global technology companies and young startups building future technologies.
“Umagine will be a platform for its community of tech-driven companies to flourish both in and out of state in line with the vision of being the Knowledge Capital of the world,” the department said in its statement. “It envisages a vibrant ecosystem that will make Tamil Nadu a destination of choice for both global and young tech companies and to build technologies of the future.”
State tech ambitions
Tamil Nadu has positioned itself as a manufacturing and technology hub, hosting significant operations from automobile manufacturers, electronics companies and information technology services firms. Chennai, the state capital, is home to the TIDEL Park technology campus and several software development centres.
The Umagine summit represents the state’s effort to move beyond services and manufacturing into higher-value technology development, particularly in areas where Indian startups have seen growing investor interest. Climate tech and agricultural technology have emerged as priority sectors given India’s decarbonisation commitments and the size of its farming economy.
The eight companies attending Davos span these focus areas. Aquaconnect works in aquaculture technology, Raptee Energy operates in the electric vehicle sector and Mage Data provides data privacy solutions. The Davos representation signals the state’s intent to attract international investment and partnerships for its startup ecosystem.
Registration details and participation fees for the September summit have not yet been announced by the state government.
Your Questions, Answered
When is the Umagine summit in Tamil Nadu?
The Umagine summit is scheduled for 21 to 23 September in Chennai. This will be the inaugural edition, with the state government planning to hold it annually.
What technology sectors will Umagine cover?
The summit will focus on 11 verticals: climate tech, health tech, education technology, agricultural technology, Web 3.0, deep tech, smart infrastructure, smart and green manufacturing, biotechnology, platforms and gig economy, creative industry and social entrepreneurship.
Which Chennai startups are at Davos for Umagine?
Eight Chennai companies sent founders to Davos: Mind and Mom, Impactree, Kandee Factory, Mage Data, Twixor, Aquaconnect, Veehive and Raptee Energy.
What is the goal of the Umagine summit?
The state government aims to position Tamil Nadu as a destination for global and young tech companies building future technologies, strengthening the state's deep tech ecosystem.
