In 2020, Gautam Das, an agriculture graduate, ventured into milky mushroom cultivation but faced a setback, incurring losses of around Rs 20 lakh. Just as he contemplated abandoning his dream, a friend introduced him to Vasanthan Selvam, the Chief Executive Officer of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), which operates under the Horticulture College and Research Institute (HCRI) in Periyakulam.

With the support of EDII, Gautam transformed into a successful entrepreneur. He now sells his milky mushroom cultivation module to aspiring entrepreneurs and provides training to interested youth. The crucial seed funding for his startup came from EDII, which established a pre-incubation center on campus at a cost of Rs20 lakh, leasing it to Gautam. He has since developed a customized, fully automated, temperature-controlled unit on this land. Additionally, the Institute has provided him with a coworking space that includes a spawn lab for research and development on seed harvesting from various mediums.

EDII, funded by the Tamil Nadu government under Section 8, is led by J. Rajangam, the Dean of HCRI, who emphasizes the region's suitability for agriculture-related startups. From the outset, the Institute encourages students to think creatively, often starting with small projects like phased harvesting of greens or producing compost for terrace gardens. Of the government funds allocated, 60% is dedicated to infrastructure development, which startups can utilize by paying rent or leasing.

The supportive environment fostered by the Institute and the district administration has been instrumental in nurturing startups, according to Mr. Vasanthan. He notes that former Collector R.V. Shajeevana ensured young entrepreneurs participated in various government-curated exhibitions, providing them with valuable exposure. EDII also conducts online classes where entrepreneurs share their experiences, which are highly sought after by aspiring business owners.

For potential entrepreneurs, all that is needed is a viable idea and a compelling pitch. EDII offers an initial fund of Rs2 lakh, after which entrepreneurs can pursue loans or grants. Mr. Vasanthan explains that startups can seek assistance at any stage, whether it’s pitching products, marketing, packaging, or obtaining grants, licenses, and export guidance.

A notable success story is Akathiya Naturals, a personal care product line created by Nithya Rajapandi from Sillamarathupatti in Bodinayakanur. Her products not only thrive in the domestic market but are also sold in the U.S., thanks to EDII's support in securing drug and cosmetic licenses and export guidance.

Since establishing its incubation forum in 2018, EDII has assisted 120 startups in Theni, with an estimated 200 startups currently operating in the district, 80% of which are agriculture-based and the remainder tech-focused.

Theni holds immense untapped potential as a fertile ground for startups that merge technology and agriculture. “We face numerous challenges, such as mechanizing the deseeding of tamarind pods, treating paddy seeds, and harvesting coconuts,” Mr. Vasanthan states, inviting anyone interested in solving these issues to reach out. With Amazon expressing interest in creating a free website for local products, Theni is proving to be a hub for innovative solutions.