MeitY Startup Hub, on October 27, 2021, announced its partnership with Google to launch the Appscale Academy. Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India is leading as well as facilitating a spectrum of activities related to Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights all over India for the expansion of this ecosystem.

Appscale Academy is a programme that will be executed in order to train early to mid-stage startups throughout the country for developing high-quality apps for the world.

MeitY Startup Hub CEO Jeet Vijay stated that “India's enterprising spirit is widespread, with cutting-edge innovations emerging from diverse pockets of the country.”

"It is great to see start-ups 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,” he noted.

This program’s main focus would be on enabling local startups to develop as well as scale a range of world-class apps across numerous domains, such as fintech, gaming, edtech, healthcare, social impact, and more.

Applications will be open till the 15^th of December. And, from these, a hundred startups will be shortlisted by a panel of industry experts, members of MeitY Startup Hub & Google Play, based on defined qualitative parameters. The programme will also render a notable focus on the emerging startup ecosystem both in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities of the country, with an aim to provide them with the help required to develop scalable app solutions.

The 100 shortlisted startups will get trained through a curriculum, which has been designed particularly to help them drive high-quality apps for a global market, such as sessions on data safety & security practices, monetization, User Experience design & global market expansion, as part of the 6-month programme.

Furthermore, the startups will obtain access to self-learning material, & mentorship sessions with local & global industry professionals, virtual instructor-led webinars, and many would get an opportunity to propel to leading venture capitalists.

“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,” Ajay Sawhney, secretary, ministry of electronics and information technology,” said.

“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," Purnima Kochikar, vice-president, Google Play Partnerships, said.

How are start-ups redefining the Indian Economy

India is not only the home to one of the most vibrant start-up ecosystems with close to eight thousand tech start-ups, which makes the country one of the largest start-up ecosystems in the world, innovation & entrepreneurship is the emerging focus area, which is being aggressively promoted to give a fillip to the Indian economy.

As one of the fastest-growing app user countries, globally, India is also home to a vibrant ecosystem of start-ups as well as developers who are not only making an impact on millions of citizens in India through their solutions but also possess the potential to bolster global app innovations.

Startups are redefining the Indian economy. Owing to its favorable demography, open economic environment coupled with the culture of entrepreneurialism, the country is highly favorable to entrepreneurial activity. Also, engaging in mentoring relationships with established organizations will help in creating mutual success as well as drive the country toward a more dynamic future.

Startups have not only started to spread benefits beyond traditional locations into regional economies but are also acting as catalysts for innovation as well as collaboration throughout the country’s business ecosystems.

Some of the benefits to startups provided by the Indian Government

• Easy Registration – The GOI has launched a mobile-based app as well as a website for easy registrations for startups. Any individual interested in starting a start-up has to only fill a simple form on the website and upload the required documents on the website and the whole process is entirely online.
• Easy Exit – a startup can dissolve its business within 3 months from the date of application of winding up.
• Choose your investor - After this plan, start-ups have their own choice to select the VCs.
• Research & Development facilities - 7 new research parks will be established to offer facilities to startups in the Research & Development landscape.