Tamil Nadu MSME minister P Mathan Raja visits one of the Entrepreneur stall during the conference held in MaduraiManu a Transwomen receiving 1,65,681 lakh loan from MSME minister P Mathan Raja
As many as 22 business owners from across Tamil Nadu showcased their ventures at the state-level summit. StartupTN and the Transgender Resource Centre jointly organised the Transpreneur Summit 2026 and Transgender Business Expo to connect entrepreneurs with customers, investors and industry mentors. The newly-launched trans entrepreneur forum will help transgender-led businesses collaborate, expand professional networks and access wider markets. The Transgender Resource Centre signed agreements with TSOM Incubation Association and Solamalai Foundation for Startup Incubation.
Inaugurating the expo, MSME minister P Mathan Raja said entrepreneurship could provide dignity and economic independence beyond creating livelihoods. Inclusive growth was essential for Tamil Nadu to meet its economic targets, he said. “These partnerships aim to offer mentorship, capacity building, business development support and vital market linkages,” TRC executive director Priya Babu said.
Expo stalls featured organic food, mushrooms, handcrafted textiles, beauty products and publishing services. Transpublication, operating for nine years, provides transgender writers a platform to publish literature and poetry and document the community’s history. Madurai: A nationwide network for transgender entrepreneurs was launched in Madurai on Friday.