Vijayawada:In a significant move aimed at transforming Andhra Pradesh into a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, the state government on Wednesday signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cyient Foundation and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The collaboration is expected to give a major boost to the startup ecosystem and enhance entrepreneurial skills among students across the state.
The MoU was signed in the presence of IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh, Cyient founder and chairman BVR Mohan Reddy, and AICTE Vice-Chairman Abhay Jere.
Urban Innovation Clusters to Drive Entrepreneurial Growth
As part of the agreement, urban innovation clusters will be set up across Andhra Pradesh, with the first cluster launching in Visakhapatnam. These clusters aim to nurture startup culture, encourage intellectual property (IP) generation, and foster entrepreneurial thinking among students and faculty members.
The initiative will focus on creating a comprehensive innovation ecosystem that integrates educational institutions, industry leaders, and government support to produce tangible outcomes in the form of startups and new technologies.
Introduction of i-Care and i-Cafe Centres
Two specialized innovation centers will be launched as part of this initiative:
- i-Care (Innovation Creation and Research for Entrepreneurship): A platform to drive research-based innovation and turn academic ideas into entrepreneurial ventures.
- i-Cafe (Idea Creation and Auxiliary Facilities for Entrepreneurs): A space to support students and entrepreneurs in ideation, prototyping, and collaboration.
These centers will be strategically located to serve various districts and educational hubs across the state.
IPR Cells and Technology Transfer in Engineering Colleges
To further promote innovation and commercialization, IPR-TT (Intellectual Property Rights and Technology Transfer) cells will be established in engineering colleges, particularly in and around Visakhapatnam. These cells will assist in patent filing, IP management, and the transfer of academic research into viable commercial products and services.
Bootcamps, Hackathons, and Mentorship to Build Startup Culture
A variety of engaging activities will be organized regularly to promote entrepreneurship among students:
- Bootcamps and Hackathons
- Innovation Fairs
- Entrepreneurship Competitions
- Cluster-Level Conclaves
- Expert Mentorship Sessions with industry leaders
These events are designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and exposure to real-world business challenges.
APSSDC Appointed as Nodal Agency
The Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) will serve as the nodal agency responsible for coordinating between government departments and implementation partners to ensure seamless execution of the initiative.
Speaking at the MoU signing, BVR Mohan Reddy called the collaboration a “critical step towards unlocking India’s innovation potential.” Abhay Jere added that this initiative will “redefine how educational institutions contribute to the country’s startup and innovation economy.”
