Telangana 'superstar' status comes as shot in the arm for robust startup ecosystem

By Our Special Correspondent

Telangana has been recognized as a 'Startup Superstar' by the Central Government under the State Startup Ranking 2021 for the state's startup ecosystem and the recently launched T-Hub 2.0.

While Telangana, Kerala, Maharashtra and Odisha were ranked in the A category in the list of top performing 'Startup Superstars', Gujarat and Karnataka were the top performers in the Startup Megastars category.

Inaugurating T-Hub 2.0 last week, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said he wanted Telangana to be India's startup state and his wish is coming true as the state's startup ecosystem is garnering attention.

Department of Industrial Promotion and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is conducting startup ranking exercise of states from 2018 to facilitate startup building and doing business across the country. The observation period for the third edition of the ranking exercise, which attracted participation from 31 states and union territories, was from October 1, 2019 to July 31, 2021.

T-Hub CEO Mahankali Srinivas Rao, reacting to the news of Telangana getting the recognition, “We are happy that Telangana has been recognized as a leader in the state's startup ranking.

The report is a testament to the strenuous efforts of the state government and enabling ecosystem in providing a robust startup ecosystem where startups are empowered through institutional support, robust incubation support and capacity-building initiatives.

"Telangana's nurturing ecosystem is becoming a model for innovation for many other states and making an impact as an open and vibrant innovation hub," he said.

The CEO of T-Hub Mahankali Srinivas Rao said Telangana's nurturing ecosystem will become a model for innovation for many other states and impact as an open and vibrant innovation hub. "The state will further expand efforts with focus on creating a good and strong funding ecosystem in Telangana," he said.