India’s initial start-up in city to get first incubation centre by Dec 2017

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 17,2017: Mangaluru and DK is set to be  India’s first startup district and is geared up to get the first start-up incubation centre at Mallikatta. It will be operational in the next four months.  Nirmala Sitharaman, Union minister for commerce and industry, visited the spaced identified for the centre in MCC Building near Mallikatta on June 16, Friday.

She said that the 6,000 sqft centre with 60 seats intake will be set up within four months with an initial funds of Rs 1.18 crore.

"This is a place where we want to give necessary basic infrastructure for any start-ups which are looking for space. They can come and get the necessary infrastructure whether it is internet connection and other necessary plug and play facilities for a very nominal rate. There are start-ups who come and ask for space for one hour per day for next three days, some others ask for working space for one week. Few may ask for space for a whole month. Depending on the demand of a start-up there should be a place to sit and work and formulate their wares. After that they should be able to convert that into commercial strategy.

They can also sit and talk business with partners and clients. NASSCOM also has agreed to give one representative, who will be here to facilitate," the minister said.

The centre can accommodate 60 seats for start-ups who will come and have the plug and play facility for short-term or medium term, she said. "At present, those start-ups who don’t have the kind of eco-system go away to other cities. We want to retain them here because lot of talent is here and lot of qualified people here. They shouldn’t be going elsewhere and they should be given necessary facilities here," Nirmala said.

The minister said the aim of the startup project is to retain talented people in the very region. Industries will be asked to partner with the start-ups, by being the first client seeking solution for particular issues.  She hoped that the Centre will cater to the needs of youth in the region.

Industry located in the region can partner with the centre and look for solutions. Industries in the region can ask start-ups to give solutions and it should be possible here itself instead of searching start-ups elsewhere, she said. "Interaction from industry will strengthen this programme. Youth of this area will not have in the heart of the city a very good accessible place. The DK DC Dr K G Jagadeesha  has taken a lot of interest together with the city Mayor Kavitha Sanil, who gave extraordinary support. I have released the first installment from my MPLAD funds for interior works, electrification and procurement of required equipment. It will reach the DC soon," she said adding there will be no dearth of funds.

Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje, Mayor Kavitha Sanil, Deputy Mayor Rajaneesh Kapikad and MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer were present.