Nara Lokesh Pitches Andhra Pradesh as Tech Hub in San Francisco Meetings
San Francisco, USA: Andhra Pradesh's Minister for IT, Electronics, and Human Resources, Nara Lokesh, held a series of high-level meetings with prominent venture capital and technology firms in San Francisco to attract significant investments into the state, focusing on deep tech, creative economy, and IT infrastructure.
During his visit, Lokesh urged international venture capital firm Celesta VC to establish a Deep Tech Innovation Hub in Andhra Pradesh. In a meeting with Managing Partner Arun Kumar, he highlighted Visakhapatnam's rapid growth as an IT and data hub and invited investments in semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing. Lokesh also introduced a pioneering "escrow account" system to ensure direct and timely disbursal of incentives to industries. Kumar stated that Celesta VC, which focuses on the US, India, Israel, and Southeast Asia, would review the proposals.
A key focus of the discussions was the development of Amaravati as a global hub for the creative economy. The minister met with Sajan Raj Kurup, founder of Creative Land Asia, to push for the swift commencement of the 'Creator Land' project. The transmedia city, part of an MoU signed last year, is envisioned to feature AI-driven virtual studios and AR/VR theme parks. Kurup confirmed that preparations are underway to begin the project within 24 months, which could attract up to ₹10,000 crore in investments and create 1.5 lakh jobs.
Furthering the vision for Amaravati, Nara Lokesh met with Autodesk's Chief Technologist, Dev Patel, proposing the establishment of a Global Capability Center and a Design & Innovation Academy in the capital. He sought Autodesk's expertise in creating a "digital twin" of Amaravati using its BIM technology and requested technical assistance in designing cyclone-resistant buildings for the state's coastal areas. Patel said the proposals would be discussed with the company's senior leadership.
The minister also engaged with Varma Kunapuli, CEO of IT operations management firm OpsRamp, seeking support for modernizing IT infrastructure for the state's smart cities and digital governance initiatives. He proposed a partnership with the AP Tech Academy for AIOps training and internships.
Nara Lokesh also met with the Consul General of India in San Francisco, Srikar Reddy, to seek assistance in facilitating US investments. He briefed the Consul General on the state’s investor-friendly policies, which he said have attracted over ₹20 lakh crore in investments in the last 18 months, and outlined the vast opportunities available in sectors ranging from AI and quantum computing to pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.
During his visit, Lokesh urged international venture capital firm Celesta VC to establish a Deep Tech Innovation Hub in Andhra Pradesh. In a meeting with Managing Partner Arun Kumar, he highlighted Visakhapatnam's rapid growth as an IT and data hub and invited investments in semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing. Lokesh also introduced a pioneering "escrow account" system to ensure direct and timely disbursal of incentives to industries. Kumar stated that Celesta VC, which focuses on the US, India, Israel, and Southeast Asia, would review the proposals.
A key focus of the discussions was the development of Amaravati as a global hub for the creative economy. The minister met with Sajan Raj Kurup, founder of Creative Land Asia, to push for the swift commencement of the 'Creator Land' project. The transmedia city, part of an MoU signed last year, is envisioned to feature AI-driven virtual studios and AR/VR theme parks. Kurup confirmed that preparations are underway to begin the project within 24 months, which could attract up to ₹10,000 crore in investments and create 1.5 lakh jobs.
Furthering the vision for Amaravati, Nara Lokesh met with Autodesk's Chief Technologist, Dev Patel, proposing the establishment of a Global Capability Center and a Design & Innovation Academy in the capital. He sought Autodesk's expertise in creating a "digital twin" of Amaravati using its BIM technology and requested technical assistance in designing cyclone-resistant buildings for the state's coastal areas. Patel said the proposals would be discussed with the company's senior leadership.
The minister also engaged with Varma Kunapuli, CEO of IT operations management firm OpsRamp, seeking support for modernizing IT infrastructure for the state's smart cities and digital governance initiatives. He proposed a partnership with the AP Tech Academy for AIOps training and internships.
Nara Lokesh also met with the Consul General of India in San Francisco, Srikar Reddy, to seek assistance in facilitating US investments. He briefed the Consul General on the state’s investor-friendly policies, which he said have attracted over ₹20 lakh crore in investments in the last 18 months, and outlined the vast opportunities available in sectors ranging from AI and quantum computing to pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.