Start-up Incubation Centre to Start in Mangaluru – Nirmala Sitharaman
Mangaluru: The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Nirmala Sitharaman visited the MCC office to discuss establishing a Start-up Incubation Centre in Mangaluru here, on June 16.
Sitharaman discussed the plans and initiatives taken by the officials and noted their suggestions. Later, addressing the mediapersons Nirmala said that the Centre will provide necessary basic infrastructure for any startup. Startups are looking for a place where they have access to necessary infrastructure such as an internet connection and other basic facilities, and that can be rented out at a very nominal price. “As per my experience, there are people who come for one hour a day or some who may ask for a place to work for a week or month. Depending on the demand of the startup, there should be a place for them to sit and work, where they would be able to do business. There will be a common facility where they can sit and talk business with their future partners or clients. NASCOM also agreed to give a representative who will be here to facilitate startups, she said.
There will be 60 seats available for those who are interested in using the space for long or short terms. The idea is to encourage the youth to create startups so that they don’t have to go to other cities. She further said, “There is a lot of talent and a number of qualified persons who should be retained here in Mangaluru. They should not be driven away to other places due to lack of opportunities. We will also identify people who can periodically visit the Centre and mentor the startups. If they identify and want to facilitate, we will facilitate getting experts who can sit and work with the startups.” The Centre is also coordinating with NITK Suratkal and NITTE. Along with the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), the Centre also plans to set up innovation hubs as they are regularly recognised institutions and they hold a number of innovation-related programmes. Under this programme, a visit will be arranged for students, teachers and others to IIT Chennai to show them what an innovation hub is and the successful experiments of IIT.
“There will be spaces available for coworking and with a very reputed innovation hub together, they can have good interaction. I want the industries located in this region to partner up with the start-ups. Interaction from industries will strengthen this programme. The youth of this area will also have a very good place which will be made to suit their convenience. Mangaluru is a very good place and it is accessible. Funds for the electrical connections, infrastructure and equipment will be released soon. The funds for the first installment from my Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) to the DC. There will be no shortage of funds. The rough estimate now is Rs 1.18 crore and within four months the work will be completed,” she said.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Shobha Karandlaje, Mayor Kavitha Sanil, Deputy Mayor Rajaneesh, DC Dr Jagadeesha, former MLA Yogish Bhat and others were also present.
