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Startup Singam

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Startup Singam
Official logo of Startup Singam
GenreBusiness reality
Country of originIndia
Original languageTamil
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes40
Production
Executive producersHemachandran L & R Balachandar
ProducerBaanhem Ventures Private Limited
Original release
NetworkStar Vijay
ReleaseJanuary 26, 2025 (2025-01-26) –
present

Startup Singam is an Indian Tamil-language business reality television series that airs on Star Vijay every Sunday and streams digitally on JioHotstar. Produced by Baanhem Ventures Private Limited and conceived by founder Hemachandran L, the show features entrepreneurs from Tamil Nadu — referred to on the programme as "Singam" (meaning lion in Tamil) — who pitch their ventures to a panel of investors and industry leaders.

Startup Singam focuses on the South Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem and positions itself as a platform for Tamil Nadu-based founders to access capital, mentorship, and national visibility.[1]

The first season premiered on 26 January 2025 — Republic Day — and featured 39 startups across 14 episodes, resulting in over ₹55 crore in investment commitments.[2] The second season premiered on 25 January 2026, expanded to 26 episodes and 75 featured startups, with cumulative investment commitments reaching ₹115 crore after 20 episodes were filmed.[3]

Season 1 (2025)

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Overview

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Startup Singam Season 1 premiered on Star Vijay on 26 January 2025 — Republic Day — symbolising entrepreneurial independence, and concluded on 27 April 2025 across 14 episodes. The show was hosted by Angelin and was simultaneously made available for digital streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.[4]

The season received over 1,500 applications from Tamil Nadu-based startups. Approximately 50 were shortlisted and 39 were ultimately featured across the 14 episodes.[5] The season resulted in over ₹55 crore in total investment commitments, with notable startups including Raptee EV, Kaigal Jobs, Savemom, and Uru Custom Instruments.

The show was built around what its founders call the "Founders First Principle," in which the word SINGAM is interpreted as representing startup founders — not investors — reflecting the programme's mission of centering the entrepreneur in the investment conversation.[6]

Events

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  • Season 1 Launch Event
  • ValueCorn Launch Event
  • Confluence
  • Curtain Raiser

Startups

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Season 1 featured 39 startups from Tamil Nadu spanning sectors including electric vehicles, agri-tech, consumer goods, healthcare, and creative industries. Notable startups featured include Raptee EV, Kaigal Jobs, Savemom, and Uru Custom Instruments. A full episode-by-episode listing is available in the Events table below.

EpisodeAir DateStartups Featured
126 January 2025Ariro Toys, Spaceman Craft, Goat Robotics
22 February 2025Uru Custom Instruments Band, Atium Sports, YourTribe
39 February 2025Chimertech Pvt Ltd, Fasgo, HVA Chemical Solutions
416 February 2025Twisty Tails, The Mind and Company, Unibose
52 March 2025Watsan, E-Sandhai, Nebeskie Labs
69 March 2025Palm Era, Save Mom, Taxina
716 March 2025Mannvasanai Traditional Food, Blinc, Happy Walk
823 March 2025Keerai Kadai, Sacdeeil Aerospace, Graciss Femininity Napkins
930 March 2025Polka Pop, Blue Island, Baby Amoré
106 April 2025Goldpe, My Harvest Farms, Kaigal
1113 April 2025Mango Point, Aeronero, Geek Technology
1220 April 2025Tams Tribal Green Fuels, TN Tribal Mart, Arola
1327 April 2025Raptee, One Drop Wellness, Imedfurns
14 (Finale)27 April 2025Award Ceremony

Investors (Institutional & HNIs)

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Notable Investors

InvestorOrganisation / Role
Keerthy SureshCelebrity Investor
Kumar VembuFounder and CEO, Mudhal Partners
Sriram SankaranDirector, Nativelead
Suresh RamanujamFounder and CEO, Metis

Startup Pavilion (HNI Investors)

InvestorOrganisation
VisalakshiMetis Family Office
Satheesh BabuUnivercells
Parvez AlamCrescent Innovation Incubation Council
Sameer AchanRight4Paws

Notable Deals

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  • Total investment commitments: ₹55 crore
  • Startups featured: 39
  • Notable deal: Keerthy Suresh invested ₹60 lakh in young entrepreneurs

Season 2 (2026)

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Overview

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Startup Singam Season 2 premiered on 25 January 2026 on Star Vijay and JioHotstar, hosted once again by Angelin, following the platform's rebranding from Disney+ Hotstar.[7] The season was expanded to 26 episodes with a stated target of ₹100 crore in investment commitments, and an expanded mandate to attract founders from across India, not solely Tamil Nadu.[8]

Season 2 received over 4,000 startup applications from across India, demonstrating significantly expanded national reach. 75 startups were selected for the 26-episode run.[9] Cumulative investment commitments reached ₹115 crore after 20 episodes were filmed.[10]

Kumar Vembu, co-founder of enterprise software company Zoho Corporation, served as Chief Mentor, lending the season significant credibility within the Indian startup ecosystem.[11]

Events

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In addition to the weekly broadcast, Startup Singam organised several off-air events during Season 2:

  • Season 2 Launch Event — A formal launch ceremony marking the premiere of Season 2 on 25 January 2026.
  • Pitch Bootcamps — Bootcamp sessions conducted for startups that had applied for Season 2, providing them with pitch training, mentorship, and preparation support ahead of the selection process.
  • Wealth to Ventures — An investor-focused event where experienced investors delivered talks and shared insights on deal-making, portfolio building, and startup investment, connecting the broader investor community with the Startup Singam ecosystem.

Startups

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Season 2 featured 75 startups from across India across sectors including robotics, medtech, agri-tech, AI, consumer goods, logistics, sustainability, and education. The expanded applicant pool of over 4,000 reflected Startup Singam's growing national profile beyond Tamil Nadu.

EpisodeAir DateStartups Featured
125 January 2026Ayyan and Co, Rattai Handlooms, Kenesis
21 February 2026Deyga, DhobiG / Cinkod Technologies, Soilsteps
38 February 2026Preethi Wear, B-Arm Medical Technologies, SheSafe India
415 February 2026Bio Dimension, Madras Sarees, Kiddy AI
522 February 2026Sprint6, Visaiyon, VR Derma Private Limited
61 March 2026Meetstream.ai, Robomiracle Technologies, Suprhost
78 March 2026Robonetics Automation Solutions, Sirimiri, TAGCS Private Limited
815 March 2026Putchi Nexus, Thremear, Vibis Royal Honey
922 March 2026Solavio Labs, Prompt View, B&B Organics / Rare and Pure Specialities
1029 March 2026Vividobots, DailyGurus, LLM Artificial Intelligence
115 April 2026Kal-M Robotics, Gaia Sustainable Solutions, Symbionic Technology
1212 April 2026ULOG 3, Kottravai, Alphageek Enterprises
1319 April 2026Vigyanlabs Innovations / Virtune, Recotap, Creedom AI / Billion Faces Technologies
1426 April 2026ScoutEdge, Nettyfish, Native Special Products
153 May 2026R Soft, Kelvin6k Technologies, WEGoT Utility Solutions
1610 May 2026Shield X Syndicate, SQ Institute of Venture Building, Dhanyas
1717 May 2026Chittam Private Limited, Nellai Karupatti Coffee, Lab of Future India
1824 May 2026Farm Fresh Bangalore, Namma Office, Buyofuel / Buyo India
1931 May 2026Happy Ending Ice Creams, Happiegut Kefir, IMROBONIX
207 June 2026KAPS Nextgen, Vetinstant Healthcare, Eastern Cottage Snacks

Investors (Institutional & HNIs)

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Notable Investors

InvestorOrganisation / Role
Kumar VembuMudhal Partners
C SivasankaranAIWO
Aparna ThyagarajanShobitam
Sid AhmedVDart Ventures
Xavier BrittoK Indev Logistics

HNI Investors (Startup Pavilion)

InvestorOrganisation
Nivetha MuralidharanNewgen – Ecommerce Service
Raghu SethuramanShobitam
Megavarnan GovindaswamyEONE Technologies
Suguna JagadeesaluRapidscoop
Nirmal Kumar JainK Group of Companies

Notable Deals

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StartupFounderDeal Size
Robonetics Automation SolutionsPrasanna₹11 crore
SirimiriRajan Srinivasan₹10 crore
Buyofuel / Buyo IndiaSumanth Kumar₹5.7 crore
AlphageekAnsha₹5 crore
B-Arm Medical TechnologiesBharath₹5 crore

Total investment commitments (20 episodes, April 2026): ₹115 crore

Startup Singam Ecosystem and Community

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Beyond the television format, Startup Singam operates an ecosystem and incubation arm that serves startups who participate in the application process but are not selected to appear on the show. Recognising that a large number of viable ventures apply each season — over 4,000 in Season 2 alone — the programme channels these founders into a structured support pathway rather than leaving them without recourse.

Incubators and Accelerators Partners

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Startup Singam has established partnerships with a network of incubators and accelerators across Tamil Nadu and India to support startups that do not make it to air. These institutions provide shortlisted founders with access to mentorship, workspace, early-stage funding opportunities, and go-to-market guidance.

Incubator / AcceleratorDomain/Sector
CIICMedTech, Manufacturing, Hardware, DeepTech, Sustainability
AIC Anna IncubatorDeepTech, Smart Cities, HealthTech, AgriTech, FinTech, Clean Energy, Aerospace, AI, IoT, Robotics
AIC RaiseSector-Agnostic, Technology Startups, Innovation-led Ventures
Cultiv8AgriTech, FoodTech, Rural Entrepreneurship
AJK Innovation and Incubation CentreSector-Agnostic

Ecosystem Partners

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In addition to incubation partners, Startup Singam collaborates with a range of ecosystem organisations that provide complementary services including legal support, investor access, community building, and entrepreneurship development.

PartnerDomain
Wadhwani FoundationEntrepreneurship Development
PSG CollegeAcademic & Incubation
GoZen / AalamaramTechnology & Community
GSF IndiaStartup Acceleration
Vakil SearchLegal & Compliance
Sangatna AngelsAngel Investment Network
YnosStartup Analytics & Fundraising
BNIBusiness Networking

Initiatives

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Scale Hub

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Scale Hub is the flagship ecosystem initiative of Startup Singam, designed to bridge the gap between startups that apply to the show but are not selected for broadcast and the wider incubation and acceleration ecosystem. The programme connects these unselected but promising startups directly with partner incubators and accelerators, facilitating structured value addition through mentorship, resources, and institutional support.

For the partner incubators, Scale Hub provides visibility and positions them as active ecosystem enablers, helping them engage with a curated pipeline of vetted startup talent. The initiative reflects the show's broader "Founders First Principle" — ensuring that value flows to entrepreneurs regardless of whether they appear on air.

Scale Hub is conducted in editions. The third edition is scheduled for June 2026.

Industry Impact

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Following Season 1, several direct-to-consumer brands that appeared on the show reportedly saw revenue growth of up to seven times after their episodes aired, driven by the combination of investor backing and national television exposure.

A notable example is Palm Era, founded by Kannan Hari, whose monthly revenues grew from ₹3–4 lakh to ₹50 lakh following the episode's broadcast.

The platform attracted government recognition: Dr T.R.B. Rajaa, Tamil Nadu's Industries Minister, served as Chief Guest at a Season 2 investor event.[12]

Startup Singam is noted in Indian startup media for expanding access to investment capital beyond traditional hubs such as Bengaluru and Mumbai, connecting investors directly with Tamil Nadu-based and South Indian founders.[13]

Cultural Significance

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Startup Singam is widely regarded as the first mainstream startup reality show in Tamil, focused specifically on the Tamil Nadu and broader South Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem.[14]

The show differentiates itself through its "Founders First Principle" philosophy, regional language medium, and a deliberate focus on MSMEs, direct-to-consumer brands, and first-generation entrepreneurs from non-metropolitan backgrounds.[15]

By Season 2, the show's application base had grown from 1,500 (Season 1) to over 4,000 applications from across India, reflecting expanded national recognition of the platform.[16]

References

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  1. ↑ "Startup Singam, Tamil Nadu's first startup reality show, to go on air this month". The Indian Express. January 2025.
  2. ↑ "Startup Singam Season 2 witnesses investment commitments cross ₹50 crore". Times of India. May 2026.
  3. ↑ "Startup Singam – Season 2: A game-changer for investment". Devdiscourse. April 2026.
  4. ↑ "Startup Singam Tamil show launched". Hindustan Times. January 2025.
  5. ↑ "Startup Singam, Tamil Nadu's first startup reality show". The Indian Express. January 2025.
  6. ↑ "Startup Singam: Everything you need to know about the show". Filmibeat. January 2025.
  7. ↑ "Startup Singam Season 2 to premier today, aims to secure investments of ₹100 crore". The Hindu BusinessLine. January 2026.
  8. ↑ "Startup Singam Season 2 returns on Vijay TV and JioHotstar". The Print. November 2025.
  9. ↑ "Startup Singam Season 2 crosses ₹50.15 crore in investment commitments". Tribune India. March 2026.
  10. ↑ "Startup Singam – Season 2: A game-changer for investment". Devdiscourse. April 2026.
  11. ↑ "Startup Singam Season 2: ₹100 crore in fresh investments". The Federal. September 2025.
  12. ↑ "Startup Singam secures ₹100 crore, gains top Tamil Nadu leaders as advisors and investors". The Logical Indian. 2026.
  13. ↑ "₹67.34 crore committed across 12 episodes". Tribune India. April 2026.
  14. ↑ "Startup Singam: Everything you need to know". Filmibeat. January 2025.
  15. ↑ "Startup Singam Season 2: ₹100 crore in fresh investments". The Federal. September 2025.
  16. ↑ "Startup Singam Season 2 crosses ₹50.15 crore in investment commitments". Tribune India. March 2026.
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