KTR launches Uber’s T Bridge at San Francisco to connect Indian Startups with Global Markets

Hyderabad, Oct.15: Uber, the smart phone app that connects riders with drivers at the push of a button, in partnership with T-Hub, India’s largest startup ecosystem builder, and TiE Silicon Valley, today announced the launch of T-Bridge, a unique program that will connect Indian startups with global market opportunities, and help bring global startups to India. This program will enable start-up communities in India and around the world to cross-pollinate ideas, innovate and create channels for knowledge transfer. It will also create a network of mentors, VCs, incubators and accelerators that the Indian startup ecosystem can take advantage of. Of particular significance to innovative tech startups worldwide is Telangana’s position as a gateway to leveraging India’s massive technology markets. Startups can hit the ground running instead of being buried in red tape. T-Bridge will provide a platform for such fast-track tech companies looking to tap into India’s huge consumer market for technology. T-bridge will help startups access UberEXCHANGE, Uber’s flagship startup mentorship program and TiE’s Silicon Valley’s mentor network. K T Rama Rao, Telangana Minister for IT, Industries and Commerce inaugurated the T-Bridge at Uber’s headquarters in San Francisco. Rao stated, “We have a strong vision to make Hyderabad one of the top 10 startup cities in the world. T – Bridge is one such move towards opening a channel of investment from the world to the state of Telangana. I am proud to open our first outpost in U.S. in association with Uber and TiE Silicon Valley and believe that this association will forge new partnerships and spur investment and innovation between the two countries”. Rachel Whetstone, Uber’s senior vice president for policy and communications, said, “Telangana is one of the most progressive states in India, and it has set up a culture of ‘regulatory incubation’ — allowing new ideas and business models to thrive. Through initiatives like UberEXCHANGE, our mentorship program for Indian startups, we hope to spur entrepreneurship. Creative partnerships like T-Bridge will continue to strengthen ties between India and the global startup scene.” Ram K. Reddy, incoming President of TiE Silicon Valley stated, “The Telangana government has been one of India’s most progressive states. The vitality and transformational mindset of its leadership gained quick notoriety within the startup world. TiE Silicon Valley is pleased to host the first T-Bridge outpost in the Silicon Valley.” Jay Krishnan CEO, T-Hub said, “Since the launch of T-HUB last year, we’ve witnessed a threefold increase in startup activity in Hyderabad. The city is abuzz with over 30 incubators and co-working spaces there is something happening in every corner. We’re committed to enabling and growing this community and to helping Indian entrepreneurs access global resources. T Bridge is one such initiative in that direction. We are proud to set up our first outpost in the heart of the startup activity – at Silicon Valley”.