With a background in Automobile Engineering and a specialization in Internal Combustion Engineering, I have transitioned from roles in New Product Development and Quality Engineering to making a significant impact on the startup and innovation ecosystem in Tamil Nadu. My professional journey includes serving as an Executive in the Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Policy, where I played a key role in establishing entrepreneurial ecosystems across academic institutions.As the former CEO of Annamalai Innovation and Incubation Foundation, I led the incubator to become one of the top 12 in the state, successfully nurturing over 30 startups and helping them secure ₹12 Crores in seed funding. I also served as the Head of the Incubator at Sathyabama Innovation Council, where I supported DEEP Tech startups, securing over ₹90 lakhs in grants in one year.In my current role, I am driving strategic partnerships at iTNT Hub, an initiative by the Government of Tamil Nadu to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in emerging tech sectors. My work includes facilitating technology transfer between researchers and industry, sourcing funding through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, and organizing Corporate Innovation Challenges to accelerate growth in these sectors.I am passionate about bridging the gap between research and real-world applications and leveraging CSR to fuel innovation. Recognized as a Certified Chief Innovation Officer and a Mentor of Change, I am committed to building impactful startup ecosystems and driving innovation forward. Additionally, I have filed one patent and facilitated one technology transfer.Let’s connect and explore how we can collaborate to fuel the next generation of innovators!