Team siliconindia

• Startup Singam Season 2 launches with Rs 100 crore funding.
• 75 startups selected for mentorship, governance, and investment.
• Aims to boost Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem and founder journeys.

Baanhem Ventures, the company behind the popular reality show ‘Startup Singam’, has secured its second round of funding with participation from leading industry figures. The show, aimed at supporting budding entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu, provides not only investment but also mentorship and governance guidance.

For the second season, a strong advisory board has been formed to guide the startups. The panel includes Kumar Vembu, who will act as chief mentor, Gopal Srinivasan, Chairman and Managing Director of TVS Capital Funds Ltd, and Girish Mathrubootham, Founder and Executive Chairman of Freshworks. Other notable members include K Mahalingam, Partner-Director of TSM Group of Companies, Mohan Karuppiah, CEO and Co-Founder of IppoPay, and Shyam Sekhar, Founder of ithought Financial Consulting LLP.

Baanhem Ventures stated that bringing together these industry leaders will strengthen the mission of ‘Startup Singam’ to 'Simplify Fundraise and Amplify Success Stories' for early-stage and growth-stage startups across the state. The founders of Baanhem Ventures, Hemachandran and Balachandar, called this a transformative moment for the company and for Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem. They added that the guidance from such visionary leaders will help startups grow with the right mix of investment, mentorship, governance, and networking support.

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During the first season of ‘Startup Singam’, 35 startups successfully raised over Rs 40 crore, with 15 of them receiving Rs 13 crore. The visibility gained through the show helped these startups accelerate sales, attract new customers, and form strategic partnerships.

For Season 2, the platform has raised Rs 100 crore in fresh investor commitments. Out of over 2,000 applications received from across India, 75 startups have been selected to participate. The new season will run for 26 episodes, showcasing founder journeys, investment-ready pitches, and inspiring new entrepreneurs to see startups as a key driver of Tamil Nadu’s economic growth.

With the combination of funding, mentorship, and exposure, Startup Singam is set to strengthen its position as not just a reality show, but a movement that celebrates innovation, entrepreneurship, and the aspirations of Tamil Nadu’s next generation of business leaders.