India’s First NRIs Business Incubator initiated at Infopark Kochi

A joint initiative of Technopark- TBI, Department of Science & Technology (Govt. of India), NORKA and Infopark-Kochi.

January 9, 2013:  Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Oommen Chandy today announced that Kerala would host India’s first “Technology Business Incubator (TBI) for Non-Residents Indians” at the PravasiBharatiya Divas 2013 that is being held in Kochi from January 7-9, 2013.

“Number of NRIs venturing as entrepreneurs in Kerala is very much disproportionate compared to the total USD 55 billion in remittances and 25 million NRIs in number. Therefore a dedicated Technology Business Incubator focused solely on NRIs is the light at the end of this tunnel.” Said CM, Shri Oommen Chandy while announcing this at the event.

“The Non Resident Indian’s-Technology Business Incubator (NRI-TBI) is a joint initiative of Technopark- TBI, Department of Science & Technology (DST Govt. of India), Non Resident Keralites Affairs Department (NORKA) & Infopark-Kochi designed specifically to incubate NRI start-ups. The Public Private Partnership (PPP) model NRI-TBI will bring together ease an angel network of NRIs passionate about technology startups and access to eco systems from the public sector and the finesse, execution strength and technology knowledge of the private sector.” Said Shri P H Kurian, Principal Secretary –IT, Govt of Kerala.

“IT department has allocated a space of 2500 sq.ft at Infoparks-Kochi to set up the initial operations of NRI-TBI. Similar facility will be set up at different Technology Parks across Kerala including Technopark Kollam and Cyberpark Kozhikode. Through this facility, NRIs can establish their innovation based technology startup companies without any hassles. This first of its kind NRI-TBI model has plug and play office space, mentors, and consultants from various fields along with value additions like the green channel facilitation, remotely accessible office, managed talent pool, etc to make it a perfect place to establish a NRI venture.” Said Infopark CEO, Gigo Joseph.

“We are planning a plug & play office space, mentors and consultants from various fields and much more makes starting a business easier. More value additions like the green channel facilitation, Remotely Accessible Office, Managed Talent Pool etc make it a perfect place to establish a NRI venture. We intend to make this as successful as the Technopark TBI and extend the atmosphere of nurturing an entrepreneurial atmosphere to the NRIs as well.” Said Dr. K C Chandrashekharan Nair, MD, Technopark-TBI.

The thrust areas of NRI-TBI would include Future farming technologies (vertical farming, hydroponics, etc.); Electronic and Embedded systems; Telecommunications and Mobile Technology; Green Energy Technology; Technology application & services for Oil & Gas Industry, Tourism, Logistics, e-Commerce, e-Branding, e-Tailing, e-Learning, etc.