Tamil Nadu Emerging Sector Seed Fund

Check fit before you send a deck

• Tamil Nadu first. The fund says it currently concentrates on companies in Tamil Nadu. Companies with no operations in the state are likely a weak fit.
• Growth stage. It describes its focus as growth-stage companies in emerging sectors, with an emphasis on MSMEs and startups in Tier-II and Tier-III towns.
• Structure. It invests through equity or convertible instruments, so be ready for either.

What to put in the deck

The fund lists its evaluation criteria on its own page. Address each of them directly:

• Promoters' track record
• UN SDG alignment and ESG impact
• Innovation and growth prospects
• Impact on the Tamil Nadu economy, such as jobs and local supply chains
• Efficient use of capital
• Likely exits, such as an acquisition or public listing
• A scalable business model

How to send it

• Email your pitch deck to the fund email address on the TNESSF page. The site gives no form, deadline or intake window.
• Proposals are vetted by an independent investment committee before an investment decision, so keep the deck self-explanatory.
• For general questions, TNIFMC lists a general email address and phone number on its contact page.

Tamil Nadu Emerging Sector Seed Fund (TNESSF) is a venture capital fund registered with SEBI as a Category I Alternative Investment Fund. It is managed by Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Fund Management Corporation Limited (TNIFMC), a professional investment management company promoted by the Government of Tamil Nadu together with other financial institutions. The Government of Tamil Nadu is an anchor investor in all the funds TNIFMC manages, which also include a shelter fund and a green climate fund. TNIFMC is based in RA Puram, Chennai.

What the fund is set up to do

According to TNIFMC, the fund exists to encourage MSMEs and startups in emerging sectors and to invest in Tier-II and Tier-III towns, so that development is broad based. It describes itself as a long-term partner to novel, disruptive and differentiated companies, offering insight, knowledge and funding.

Stage, sectors and geography

TNESSF says it keeps an open approach to diverse sectors, particularly companies at the growth stage, and that it currently concentrates on companies in Tamil Nadu. It invests through equity or convertible instruments. Its published portfolio is varied: an agri distribution platform for Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, robotics for tea harvesting, EV-based delivery, an online pharmacy for super-speciality medicines, healthcare supply-chain software, a blue-collar job portal for MSMEs, new axial flux electric motors, a fabless semiconductor company, a cancer care network and a sustainable fabric doll brand. The fund also reports that more than 40% of its portfolio investments are in companies with women founders.

How the fund evaluates companies

The fund lists the criteria it looks at: the promoters' track record, commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ESG impact, innovation and growth prospects, potential impact on the economy of Tamil Nadu, efficient use of capital, exit opportunities such as an acquisition or public listing, and a scalable business model. It says investment proposals are vetted by an independent investment committee. Beyond capital, it lists institutional credibility from partnering with a government-supported fund, possible follow-on funding based on milestones achieved, and access to mentors, investors, partners and customers.

How to reach the fund

The fund's page invites interested applicants to send their pitch deck to its fund email address, which is shown on the fund page. TNIFMC also lists a general email address and a phone number on its contact page. The site does not publish an application form, a deadline or a fixed intake window, so treat it as a rolling pitch by email rather than a programme with cohorts.

Location

TNIFMC's office is at No. 19, TP Scheme Road, RA Puram, Chennai 600028.