T-Hub guiding startups through pandemic

Increases its reach through digital engagement programmes among other things

Hyderabad: At a time when the pandemic impacted many startups to either pivot or shut shop, Telangana-based startup innovation ecosystem builder T-Hub has been able to increase its reach through digital engagement programmes among other things. In the last one year, T-Hub has increased its corporate partners from 435 to 600 while the investors on board have risen from 70 to 300 in a year. Not only this, its corporate memberships and partnerships have enabled more than 350 startups to collaborate, present proof of concept (PoC), raise money or get acquired by larger corporates, of which 100 are from Hyderabad.

Speaking to Telangana Today, T-Hub CEO Ravi Narayan said that the Telangana innovation ecosystem is maturing in different sectors like life sciences, agritech, and other healthcare sectors using advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

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“Covid has led to change in the way T-Hub programmes are being offered. T-Hub has quickly added a digital channel for mentoring and delivering our programmes, and adapted and pivoted during the pandemic. The digital engagement channel is being used prominently to reach more startups while the focus will be on evolving solutions for global problems,” he said.

On the current status of T-Hub phase, Narayan said that the initial work was delayed due to various factors and the Covid-19 pandemic has led to further delay. He, however, could not provide a definitive timeline on when the facility would be up and running. Meanwhile, he added that whoever is engaged with T-Hub will automatically be associated with Phase 2 and it will not just house startups but also house corporations, investors, and other ecosystem enablers.

“The second phase will be known as a centre for startup innovation, corporate innovation, and ecosystem innovation. These are key for generating demand. Due to this robust innovation ecosystem that T-Hub has built, we have seen a rise in the number of startups from 400 then to about 2,000 now, and phase 2 will further boost this growth,” he added.

Not just urban startups, but T-Hub is also keen on engaging with startups from tier-2 and 3 cities and its pre-acceleration programme called Lab 32 has been getting traction from rural entrepreneurs as well. He added that T-Hub is actively enabling startups from tier 2 and 3 cities to position themselves for growth.

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