Tech start-up incubator T-Hub is all set to play host to a clutch of start-ups selected under a Defence Ministry initiative to bolster self-reliance in the field of defence production.
One of the six incubators identified across the country, T-Hub will provide facilities as well as get to mentor 4-5 start-ups from among the 44 selected by the Ministry. “We will be running the accelerator programme,” a senior level executive of T-Hub said, adding an MoU in this regard is set to be signed shortly with Bharat Dynamics Ltd.
Defence public sector undertakings such as BDL will be associated, including as sponsors for the programme under which each of the selected start-ups is eligible for a grant of ₹1.5 crore. The release of the grant is linked to the start-ups achieving milestones.
A component of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), in certain cases defence PSU officials are also expected to work with the selected start-ups on the products and solutions developed for the country. The T-Hub executive, who did not wish to be named, said a senior official of the Defence Ministry held discussions with the incubator and the accelerator was likely to be launched next month.
It has been a little over year since the Government of India launched iDEX seeking to create an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in defence and aerospace by engaging micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, individual innovators, research and development institutes and academia. The idea is to provide them grants/funding and other support to carry out R&D which has good potential for future adoption.
A not for profit company, Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), has been formed with two defence PSUs as its founding members. iDEX will function as the executive arm of DIO. It is also to foster a culture of engagement with innovative startups, to encourage co-creation for defence and aerospace sectors.
The T-Hub executive was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of DeepTech Arcade programme in partnership with Ambuja Neotia, a Kolkata-based corporate house. Through Deeptech Arcade, Ambuja Neotia can access some of the most innovative DeepTech startups that are scouted by T-Hub.
Addressing the programme, Telangana IT and Industries Secretary Jayesh Ranjan highlighted how product development compared to services was important for IT firms. Telangana government, he added, was encouraging large and small firms as well as start-ups focused on product development.
