Sona Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (i-TBI) in Salem has selected 17 startups for Rs 11 crore in grants and investments under DST-NIDHI and Startup India Seed Fund schemes.
The cohort spans healthcare devices, IoT energy management, drones, mobility platforms, nutrition innovation, and applied deep-tech, showcasing Tier-2/3 ecosystems’ rising maturity. Twelve startups received Rs 50 lakh in NIDHI grants while five secured Rs 60 lakh from Startup India, advancing prototypes from proof-of-concept to market validation.
Healthcare and Deep-Tech Lead Technology Readiness
NervePro, a Salem-based healthcare deep-tech venture, leads with its portable nerve-monitoring system protecting facial nerves in high-risk ENT and skull-base surgeries, backed by completed proof-of-concept validation. IswiftPro – Min-Sakthi delivers IoT and AI-driven appliance-level energy tracking for households and institutions, enabling precise forecasting, smart billing, and efficiency gains.
DroneTribes advances indigenous drones for agriculture, security, and training, reaching TRL 6 with field-deployed prototypes.
Mobility and Nutrition Platforms Scale Operations
Kanyakumari’s Cabocab operates ride-hailing across Tier-3 cities, focusing on last-mile connectivity with TRL 9 maturity. Coimbatore’s V Way Taxi offers commission-free ride-hailing empowering drivers through transparent, affordable mobility at full commercial scale. Shadvik Nutri Best produces millet-based nutrient-rich foods as healthier carbohydrate alternatives, operating at TRL 7 with established production.
Tier-2 Ecosystem Drives National Innovation
The startups hail from Salem, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tirupur, Trichy, Hosur, Kanyakumari, and Hyderabad, demonstrating how DST-backed incubation and patient capital enable scalable solutions beyond metros. Sona Incubations Executive Chair Dr S R R Senthilkumar highlights the Tier-2/3 momentum, with additional grants supporting diaper waste management and ed-tech immersive learning.
Industry leaders including IndiaAI Mission Board Member Dr Ramanathan Ramanan and StartupTN VP Sivakumar Palanisamy emphasise academic ecosystems, AI integration, and regional innovation as drivers of national impact.
