Spatial Patterns, Ecosystem Dynamics and Innovation Outcomes in Women Co- Founded Startups under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme in Tamil Nadu

This study examines the spatial distribution and geographic concentration of women co-founded startups registered under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) in Tamil Nadu, India. Drawing on a dataset of 175 startups across 24 districts, the paper investigates whether geographic location within major innovation hubs produces superior innovation and venture outcomes relative to emerging regions. The analysis employs chi-square tests of independence with Cramér's V, binary logistic regression, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal- Wallis tests, Spearman rank correlation, Location Quotient analysis and the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index to examine market launch completion, external funding acquisition, intellectual property generation, employment creation and stage pipeline advancement. The findings reveal a pronounced spatial concentration across three districts such as Chennai, Coimbatore and Kanchipuram which accounts for 56.6% of all startups. Geographic tier, however, does not significantly predict market launch (χ²= 0.038, p = .981), external funding (χ² = 0.287, p = .867), or employment levels (Kruskal-Wallis H = 2.269, p = .322). The only outcome that differs significantly across tiers is intellectual property filing, with peripheral districts showing unexpectedly higher rates (χ² = 8.293, p = .016, V = 0.227). The single strongest predictor of market launch is innovation pipeline depth, measured as cumulative stage completion (OR = 66.85, p < .001). Sectoral specialisation, as measured by Location Quotients, reveals distinct sub-state cluster identities such as Tiruppur in textiles (LQ = 9.38), Madurai in agriculture (LQ = 3.54) and Tiruchirappalli in artificial intelligence (LQ = 4.17). Incubator dependency, measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, is acute in Virudhunagar (HHI = 0.630) and Tiruppur (HHI = 0.551), creating structural ecosystem fragility. The paper argues that spatial inequality in the volume of startup formation does not reproduce itself proportionally in performance outcomes, a finding that challenges the volumetric assumptions of agglomeration theory and calls for policy frameworks that distinguish between ecosystem depth and startup density.