Lokesh’s Push In US To AP’s Deep-Tech, Creative Economy, Digital Infra Plans
Lokesh showcased the state’s emergence as a pro-innovation destination and urged global companies to participate in its technology-led growth plans: Reports
VIJAYAWADA: Education minister Nara Lokesh intensified his interactions during his US tour with high-level meetings aimed at attracting investments to AP in deep-tech, cybersecurity, creative economy, cloud solutions and global capability centres.
Lokesh showcased the state’s emergence as a pro-innovation destination and urged global companies to participate in its technology-led growth plans.
The minister met Arun Kumar, managing partner of global venture capital firm Celesta VC, and urged him to set up a Deep Tech innovation hub in AP. He stressed that Visakhapatnam was rapidly developing into an IT and Data City, and AP offered the “best” incentive ecosystem in India.
AP, he said, is also the first in the country to implement an Escrow Account-based incentive disbursal system, ensuring timely and transparent support to industries.
Lokesh invited Celesta VC to invest in semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, robotics, SaaS, cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure. Arun Kumar said Celesta was focused on the US, India, Israel and Southeast Asia, prioritising investments in semiconductors, AI/ML, quantum computing, robotics, enterprise software and globally scalable start-ups. He said AP’s proposals would be considered.
In a meeting with Creative Land Asia Founder Sajan Raj Kurup, senior partner Ian Copping, and renowned Hollywood filmmaker Chuck Russell, Lokesh reiterated AP’s goal of transforming the state into a global hub for creative economy, tourism and digital innovation.
The minister, who also handles IT, said Amaravati would be developed into a cutting-edge transmedia city, featuring AI-based virtual studios, immersive AR/VR theme parks and world-class co-production facilities. He urged Creative Land Asia to begin the Creator Land—Amaravati project at the earliest, as committed in the previous MoU.
Sajan Raj Kurup said Creative Land was building an ecosystem for AI-driven art, VR/AR and blockchain-based creative technologies, along with a Creator Land Academy to train youth in VFX, AI, gaming and animation.
Lokesh met OpsRamp CEO Varma Koonapuneeni, requesting support for modernising IT frameworks across smart cities, digital governance and electronics manufacturing clusters. He invited OpsRamp to partner with AP Tech Academy for AI-Ops training, internships and R&D. Varma said AP’s proposals would be examined.
The minister urged Zscaler CEO Jay Chaudhry to set up a Cybersecurity R&D Centre in Visakhapatnam, which was emerging as a major AI-driven Data City. Chaudhry said AP’s proposal would be discussed with the leadership team.
Lokesh also met Salesforce executive vice president Ramesh Ragineny, inviting the company to establish a Global Capability Centre and R&D hub in Visakhapatnam. Ramesh said AP’s proposal would be presented to the global leadership.
