• Partners launch T-Bridge- a unique program to enable knowledge transfer between Indian startups and the international startup community
• Move to give further impetus to UberEXCHANGE, Uber’s flagship startup mentorship program
Hyderabad 15th October 2016: Uber, the smartphone app that connects riders with drivers at the push of a button, in partnership with T-Hub, India’s largest startup ecosystem builder, and TiE Silicon Valley today announced the launch of T-Bridge. T-Bridge is a unique program that will connect Indian startups with global market opportunities, and help bring global startups to India. This program will enable start-up communities in India and around the world to cross pollinate ideas, innovate and create channels for knowledge transfer. It will also create a network of mentors, VCs, incubators and accelerators that the Indian startup ecosystem can take advantage of.
Of particular significance to innovative tech startups worldwide is Telangana’s position as a gateway to leveraging India’s massive technology markets. Startups can hit the ground running instead of being buried in red tape. T-Bridge will provide a platform for such fast-track tech companies looking to tap into India’s huge consumer market for technology. T-bridge will help startups access UberEXCHANGE, Uber’s flagship startup mentorship program and TiE’s Silicon Valley’s mentor network. As part of UberEXCHANGE, global leaders at Uber have already conducted 5 separate mentorship sessions with select Indian start-ups across different categories over the year. The sessions will culminate in a grand finale with Uber shortlisting 10 start-up finalists who will be flown to San Francisco to meet Uber’s senior leadership and be introduced to potential investors.
Shri K T Rama Rao, Telangana Cabinet Minister for IT E&C, MAUD, Industries & Commerce inaugurated T-Bridge in association with Uber and TiE Silicon Valley at Uber’s headquarters in San Francisco
Mr Rao stated, “We have a strong vision to make Hyderabad one of the top 10 startup cities in the world. T – Bridge is one such move towards opening a channel of investment from the world to the state of Telangana. I am proud to open our first outpost in U.S. in association with Uber and TiE Silicon Valley and believe that this association will forge new partnerships and spur investment and innovation between the two countries”.
Rachel Whetstone, Uber’s senior vice president for policy and communications, said, “Telangana is one of the most progressive states in India; and it has set up a culture of ‘regulatory incubation’ — allowing new ideas and business models to thrive. Today more and more people around the world want to build something themselves. Through initiatives like UberEXCHANGE, our mentorship program for Indian startups, we hope to spur entrepreneurship. Creative partnerships like T-Bridge will continue to strengthen ties between India and the global startup scene.”
Mr. Ram K. Reddy, incoming President of TiE Silicon Valley stated at the inauguration, “The Telangana government has been one of India’s most progressive states. The vitality and transformational mindset of its leadership gained quick notoriety within the startup world. TiE Silicon Valley is pleased to host the first T-Bridge outpost in the Silicon Valley.”
Jay Krishnan CEO, T Hub said, “Since the launch of T-HUB last year, we’ve witnessed a threefold increase in startup activity in Hyderabad. The city is abuzz with over 30 incubators and co-working spaces There is something happening in every corner. We’re committed to enabling and growing this community and to helping Indian entrepreneurs access global resources. T Bridge is one such initiative in that direction. We are proud to set up our first outpost in the heart of the startup activity – at Silicon Valley”.
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About Uber
Uber is evolving the way the world moves. By seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our app, we make cities more accessible, opening up more possibilities for riders and more business for drivers. From our founding in 2009 to our launches in hundreds of cities today, Uber’s rapidly expanding global presence continues to bring people and their cities closer. Today Uber is available in 450+ cities across 73 countries. The service is available in 28 Indian cities — more than any other country outside the United States. www.uber.com
About T-hub: T-Hub is a unique public/private partnership between the government of Telangana, three of India’s premier academic institutes (IIIT-H, ISB and NALSAR) and key private sector leaders. It stands at the intersection of the startup, academic, corporate, research and government sectors.
T-Hub is one of the largest ecosystems in India today with over 2000 startups in its database. The members of T-Hub are clustered into various stages of growth across sectors of specialization, a model of community development which is unique to Hyderabad. Such a unique model enables investors and corporates to plan programs and capacity building initiatives in a targeted and organized manner. T Hub is also the only model where the government is working coercively with the investor and the partner to fuel innovation and facilitate enterprise.
About TiE Silicon Valley: TiE is a not for profit organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship around the World. TiE strives to inspire entrepreneurs through mentoring, networking, education, incubating and funding programs and activities. With nearly 2000+ events held each year, TiE brings together the entrepreneurial community to learn from local leaders, as well as each other. For more information, please visit their website at tie.org