STPI with MeitY launches OpenLab for IoT startups

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has soft-launched IoT OpenLab - a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The IoT OpenLab is launched in association with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

The newly launched CoE will give an opportunity for startups to build innovative IoT products and solutions. Additionally, the IoT OpenLab, launched on Tuesday, will focus on creating an ecosystem in a collaborative model to nurture startups and drive research and development, innovation and product development in IoT.

The IoT-based solutions are expected to find their use-cases in sectors such as defence, aeronautics, industrial, agriculture, health, automotive and education, among others. In addition to the physical incubation of these startups, IoT OpenLab will also support startups connected to the STPI’s CoE virtually.

The CoE is also expected to get support from India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) and TiE Global for providing network opportunities to startups.

The industry partners for the IoT OpenLab include the likes of Intel, NXP, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, TE Connectivity, Onsemi, Kyocera, Analog Devices, Silicon Labs, among others. While PES Institute of Technology and RV College of Engineering will provide academic expertise and mentoring to the startups, Cyber Media and Forum Synergy will act as VC partners to provide funding opportunities to the start-ups.

Omkar Rai, director-general at STPI has said that the CoE is aimed to support and nurture around 500 startups over a period of five years.

With this STPI is in the process of opening over 21 CoEs in emerging technologies across the country.

According to STPI, three such CoEs in Delhi, Chennai and Mohali are already functioning and the rest of them would be operational in the coming two years. STPI is also going to incorporate MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) in the country.