AP to set up incubation centre for product-based IT start-ups, SMEs

To encourage product development among start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under information technology (IT) domain, the Andhra Pradesh government is planning to set up an incubation centre in Hyderabad.

"The state is now more focused on promoting product development in the IT sector. With objective to facilitate product development in the state, this initiative will empower the start-ups and other independent developers to come and use the plug-and-play facility," P Venugopal, director of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Hyderabad, told Business Standard.

The incubation centre, spread across 27,000-sft area, will come up near Hi-tech city in Hyderabad. "We expect the centre to become operational in the next six months," he said.

The state has appointed a consulting agency, which is working on the feasibility of the centre. "The drawing has been approved by the government, now the agency is preparing the estimated cost for the centre," he said.

Replying to a query on the number of product development companies that are going to be benefited through this incubation centre, Venugopal said, "Once the centre will become operational, we can put a number."