Qualcomm partners with T-Hub to foster startups

HYDERABAD: Telecom equipment company Qualcomm has partnered with Telangana government backed incubator T-Hub to foster startups from the fields of mobile, Internet of Things (IoT), biometrics, wireless technologies, among others. This strategic partnership comes on the heels of the company's announcement of investing $8.5 million as part of Qualcomm's Design in India Program announced in January. Part of this program is the Design in India Challenge.

The challenge will shortlist a total of 14 startups in two batches of 7 startups each during this year and help their ideas turn into products by providing access to technology by Qualcomm, a testing and innovation lab housed at T-Hub and mentorship. Qualcomm will also invest $10,000 in each of the 14 startups and $75,000 in each of the three finalists selected from the cohort.

Apart from this, Qualcomm is also starting an innovation lab in its Hyderabad office. "We already have one in Bengaluru. The innovation lab at Hyderabad will be open for shortlisted companies for network testing," said Shashi Reddy, vice president, Engineering Qualcomm India.

Chief executive of T-Hub, Jay Krishnan, said, "The startups enlisted for this collaborative program offer creative solutions for helping India advance on a technological front in critical sectors like rural development, healthcare, and digital payments."