State will help unique startups: KTR

Hyderabad: Startups with unique products have something to cheer about. The Telangana government is planning to lend a helping hand to all budding entrepreneurs and support pilot projects in a big way.

The Minister for Information and Technology (IT), K Taraka Rama Rao stated that it was a win-win situation for both the government as well as wannabe entrepreneurs. The government need not look outside for good concepts and products that come at a lower cost. On the other hand, startups need not look elsewhere for funding as the government is open to embrace the best.

In an interaction with the media here on Monday, he did not concur with the view that startups are unable to get a foothold in the government sector with industry giants like TCS, Infosys among others ruling the roost due to the intricate screening rules. He pointed out that huge amount of public exchequer was at stake and government would not take risks on companies that did not have initial levels of certification.

However, he added that the government was always open to fresh ideas and new players purely on merit. When asked if the startups that were functioning on the periphery of Hyderabad too would be given a chance to associate with T-hub, he said T-hub was running out of space already. This facility is essentially to ideate, innovate, and provide a platform for startups to excel not to forget the key mentorship on offer.

Clarity on integrating incubators, outside of T-hub, would emerge in the innovation policy to be unveiled soon, he said. Rama Rao exuded confidence of Centre pitching in for phase-2 of T-hub to come up at Raidurg with an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore in the next three years. The world-class design for the new building will be unveiled on November 5, the same day when phase-1 will be inaugurated by Governor ESL Narasimhan and Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons.

By:Mahesh Avadhutha