100 tech start-ups from Kerala to visit Silicon Valley

At least 100 technology start-ups from Kerala could be given a chance to travel this year to the Silicon Valley in the US to learn about the nuances of building a billion dollar Tech Company, said the Mayor of Menlo Park Catherine Carlton, who is leading a three-member delegation to Kerala, during the tour of Kochi-based technology incubator Startup Village.

"We are extremely impressed by the talent of the youngsters here as well as by the kind of support that the government is extending. We will be very pleased to welcome selected start-ups, possibly 100 companies this year, to Silicon Valley and provide them an opportunity to expand and grow their business there," she said.

"We can also extend support in identifying potential markets in the US," Carlton added.

Following the agreement between Kochi and Menlo Park, California, the three member team of Menlo Park Catherine Carlton visited Startup Village incubator of Kerala to interact with the young entrepreneurs.  

"Kerala has got abundant talent and huge potential for growth. One of the objectives of the twin city agreement is to promote sharing of talent and ideas in the technology sector, thus boosting employment opportunities in both the countries," she said.

Moreover, in a bid to boost the educational, cultural, social and economic sectors, an MoU is likely to be signed between Carlton and Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany in Thiruvananthapuram in the presence of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

"Through this collaboration, Kochi will be able to get the global stage and emerge as a key player in the telecom-technology sector. We aim to boost Landing Pad, a project supported by the Kerala Government at the Silicon Valley, through this new tie-up," said Startup Village Chairman Sanjay Vijayakumar.

Startup Village is India's first incubator that is funded jointly by the public and private sector. The promoters of Startup Village are Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, Technopark Trivandrum and MobME Wireless. Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys and the most successful IT entrepreneur from Kerala, is the chief mentor at Startup Village.