
Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has announced plans to invest ₹25 crore each in spacetech startup Agnikul Cosmos and electric mobility startup Raptee Energy, marking the first investments under the state’s Startup Investment Policy 2025.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening Tamil Nadu’s deeptech and advanced manufacturing ecosystem by backing high-potential startups in emerging sectors. The investments were formally approved and positioned as a step toward building a stronger pipeline of innovation-driven companies within the state.
Agnikul Cosmos, founded in 2017, is focused on developing small satellite launch vehicles. Its flagship rocket, Agnibaan, is designed to carry payloads of up to 300 kg into low Earth orbit, and the company has gained attention for building a fully 3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket engine.
Raptee Energy, on the other hand, operates in the electric mobility space, manufacturing premium electric motorcycles. The startup runs a production facility in Chennai and is working toward scaling high-performance electric two-wheelers in India’s growing EV market.
The investments align with the state government’s broader focus on supporting “sunrise sectors” such as electric vehicles, aerospace and defence, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy. The policy allows TIDCO to provide capital support across different stages of a startup’s lifecycle, from early development to expansion.
Officials have emphasized that the goal is to provide patient capital and strategic backing to promising companies, enabling them to scale within Tamil Nadu rather than seeking funding outside the state. The move also reflects a growing trend of government-led initiatives aimed at boosting deeptech innovation, which typically requires long development cycles and significant capital investment.
Overall, the development highlights Tamil Nadu’s push to position itself as a hub for advanced technologies, supporting startups that can contribute to India’s ambitions in space technology, clean mobility, and next-generation manufacturing.




