Hyderabad: T-Hub, the country’s largest startup ecosystem in Hyderabad, has launched T-Bridge in US, in partnership with Uber and TiE Silicon Valley. T-Bridge is a new programme that will connect Indian startups with global market opportunities and help bring global startups to India. IT minister K.T. Rama Rao, who is at present touring US, launched T-Bridge in San Francisco on Saturday.
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, venture capitalists, incubators and accelerators. T-Bridge will help startups access UberEXCHANGE, Uber’s flagship startup mentorship program and TiE Silicon Valley’s mentor network.
Mr Rao said, “We have a 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 Telangana. I believe that this association will forge new partnerships and spur investment and innovation between the two countries.”
Ram K. Reddy, incoming president of TiE Silicon Valley said, “The vitality and transformational mindset of Telangana leadership gained quick notoriety within the startup world. TiE Silicon Valley is pleased to host the first T-Bridge outpost in Silicon Valley.” Rachel Whetstone, Uber’s senior vice president for policy and communications, said, “Through initiatives like UberEXCHANGE, our mentorship program for Indian startups, we hope to spur entrepreneurship. Creative partnerships like T-Bridge will continue to strengthen ties between India and the global startup scene.”
Jay Krishnan CEO, T-Hub said, “Since the launch of T-Hub last year, we’ve witnessed three-fold increase in startup activity in Hyderabad. The city is abuzz with over 30 incubators and co-working spaces. We are committed to enabling and growing this community and to helping Indian entrepreneurs access global resources. T-Bridge is one such initiative in that direction.”
