T-Hub signs MoU with Hiroshima Prefectural Government

T-Hub has inked an MoU with the Hiroshima Prefectural Government. Through this association, T-Hub will collaborate with the Hiroshima Government in the areas of creation of innovation, entrepreneurship, and open innovation, which will help nurture the startup ecosystem between the State of Telangana and Hiroshima. The association will bring together cultures and ideas from both the innovation ecosystems to transform customer experience and foster digital transformation. As the first step of this partnership, T-Hub will lead a virtual innovation program which is called “ROAD TO SHINE (R2S)” in partnership with Infobridge India Pvt. Ltd., an Indo-Japanese business development and consultancy firm.

The program is centered on the theme ‘The Future City You Want to Create.’ It will empower the next generation leaders to generate new technologies and solutions that address the future challenges of India. Through this program, T-Hub and Hiroshima Prefectural Government will collaborate with students and engineers, including the startup ecosystems in Hyderabad - Telangana.

T-Hub will call for applications from the student innovators and early growth-stage startups, with a background in computer science and related engineering fields. The main applicant can participate individually or as a team, where he/she can recruit upto two other members, not necessarily from a technical background. All members must be based in State of Telangana and under the age of 30 to participate in this program. The main applicant should be available for all online workshops and events.

The call for applicants will commence from 8th September 2020 and will remain active until 17th October 2020. High-potential innovators and startups will be selected based on the quality of technology solutions, ability to expand on self-reflection to bring social and societal perspectives, demonstration of in-depth analysis, product/solution readiness and growth potential. Also, the shortlisted participants will present their innovative ideas/solutions to the Hiroshima Prefectural Government. Subject matter experts from T-Hub and the Hiroshima Prefectural Government will work with the innovators to help them refine and transform their ideas into viable business propositions.

Ravi Narayan, CEO of T-Hub and Chief Innovation Officer of State of Telangana, says, "Over the years, Hiroshima has been successful in creating an innovative ecosystem and a brand for itself. With the project ‘Road to Shine’ (R2S), we are looking at prospective technological innovations with the potential to address the future challenges of society and deliver social impact. The partnership formalised today will provide growth opportunities for the innovation ecosystems of both the geographies. It will enable startups and innovators to explore larger opportunities.”

Hidehiko Yuzaki, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture, comments, “I am happy to announce this partnership between T-Hub and Hiroshima, a prefecture aiming to become a national leader in innovation. I am convinced that our collaboration will be a catalyst for more out-of-the-box and transformative services and products.”

Startups/student innovators can:

Understand the thinking process of new business creation by utilising technology

Apply their technical skills in the real world

Get mentorship from top-tier mentors and industry leaders

Learn how to come up with innovative ideas that deliver new values through technology

Get a global perspective and develop their international collaborative skills

The startup ecosystem in Hyderabad – State of Telangana has produced many IT resources for global companies, such as GAFA (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon), and created new business avenues. It is also an opportunity for a Japanese company with a strong desire for growth, seeking to increase its competitiveness through innovation (creation of new value). Participants and companies can learn the process of new business ideation and creation by utilising technology.