MeitY Startup Hub and Google tie up to launch Appscale Academy
MeitY Startup Hub, an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and Google announced a partnership to launch a growth and development program called the Appscale Academy. The program will train early to mid-stage startups across India on building high-quality apps for the world.
Launched in October 2021, the Appscale Academy will focus on helping local startups build and scale a range of world-class apps across domains, including gaming, healthcare, fintech, edtech, social impact, and more. Applications will be open till 15th December 2021, from which 100 startups will be selected based on defined qualitative and quantitative parameters by a panel of industry experts, members of MeitY Startup Hub, and Google Play. The program will also provide a special focus to the emerging startup ecosystem in Tier II and Tier III cities of India, aiming to provide them with the help needed to build scalable app solutions.
As part of the 6-month program, 100 selected startups will get trained through a curriculum designed to help them drive high-quality apps for a global market, including sessions on data safety and security practices, monetization, UX design, and global market expansion. The startups will receive access to virtual instructor-led webinars, self-learning material, and mentorship sessions with leading local and global industry professionals, and many will get an opportunity to pitch to leading venture capitalists.
Talking about the launch and the joint initiative, Mr. Ajay Sawhney, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, said, “It is heartening to see India’s startups increasingly drive local app innovations that have the potential to go global. We must fuel this growth story and encourage them to drive meaningful solutions for the world. I am delighted that the MeitY Startup Hub and Google have come together to grow and scale this flourishing ecosystem.”
Highlighting the encouraging rise of innovations from Tier II and Tier III cities of India, Jeet Vijay, Chief Executive Officer, MeitY Startup Hub, said, “India’s enterprising spirit is widespread with cutting-edge innovations emerging from diverse pockets of the country. It is great to see startups and developers across India, especially those in Tier II and Tier III towns, gain momentum and provide solutions for complex problems unique to India. We look forward to working with them on this journey and helping them scale to new heights.”
Purnima Kochikar, Vice President, Google Play Partnerships, added, “We are excited to see India’s thriving startup ecosystem not only solve for India but also reach global audiences. At Google Play, we believe Indian startups and developers have the ability to set an example for the rest of the world to follow. We are pleased to be partnering with the MeitY Startup Hub to further tap into the tremendous potential of this ecosystem and help them build sustainable and scalable global businesses.”
