T-Hub launches initiative to connect startup ecosystems

Hyderabad, Oct 15: T-Hub, one of India's largest startup ecosystem builder, in partnership with Uber and TiE Silicon Valley has announced the launch of T-Bridge -- a unique initiative to connect startup ecosystems from around the world to India.

The programme will connect Indian startups with global market opportunities, and help bring global startups to India.

T-Bridge will help startups access UberEXCHANGE -- Uber's flagship startup mentorship program and TiE Silicon Valley's mentor network.

Telangana's Information Technology Minister K.T. Rama Rao, who is currently on a visit to the US, inaugurated T-Bridge at Uber's headquarters in San Francisco.

He opened T-Hub's first outpost in the US in association with Uber and TiE Silicon Valley.

T-Bridge will enable startup communities in India and around the world to cross-pollinate ideas, innovate and create channels for knowledge transfer. 

It will also create a network of mentors, VCs, incubators and accelerators that is advantageous to the Indian startup ecosystem, said a statement released from the minister's office here on Saturday.

T-Bridge will provide a platform for such fast-track tech companies looking to tap into India's huge consumer market for technology.

"We have a strong vision to make Hyderabad one of the top 10 startup cities in the world. T-Bridge is one such move towards opening a channel of investment from the world to the state of Telangana," said Rao.

"The Telangana government has been one of India's most progressive states. The vitality and transformational mindset of its leadership gained quick notoriety within the startup world. TiE Silicon Valley is pleased to host the first T-Bridge outpost in Silicon Valley," said TiE Silicon Valley's incoming President Ram K. Reddy.

"Today more and more people around the world want to build something themselves. Through initiatives like UberEXCHANGE, our mentorship program for Indian startups, we hope to spur entrepreneurship," said Uber's senior Vice President for policy and communications, Rachel Whetstone. 

Creative partnerships like T-Bridge will strengthen ties between India and the global startup scene, Whetstone said.

T-Hub's CEO Jay Krishnan said since the launch of T-Hub last year, Hyderabad witnessed a threefold increase in startup activity, and added "The city is abuzz with over 30 incubators and co-working spaces. There is something happening in every corner." 

"We're committed to enabling and growing this community and helping Indian entrepreneurs access global resources. T-Bridge is one such initiative in that direction," Krishnan said.

T-Hub is a unique public/private partnership between the government of Telangana, three of India's premier academic institutes (IIIT-H, ISB and NALSAR) and key private sector leaders.