T-Hub announces second edition of accelerator programme for international startups

Hyderabad-based startup incubator T-Hub has announced the second edition of its nine-month India Market Access Bridge (IMAB) accelerator programme, a company statement said.

IMAB is aimed at post-Series A international startups focused on business-to-business (B2B) enterprise products and technology solutions for sustainability. The programme will provide international startups with business opportunities, market understanding and access to clients in India, while also mentoring them to scale. In particular, T-Hub will help these startups create a local strategy and to customise their products and business models based on the needs and customer demands of the country. According to T-Hub, the programme will also assist these startups to secure their first customer in India.

“The IMAB programme provides international entrepreneurs who have scaled successfully in their home countries an opportunity to grow and navigate through the high potential Indian market. We will enable them with unique possibilities to establish and accelerate their growth in one of the largest global economies through our collaboration with investors and corporates,” said Jay Krishnan, chief executive at T-Hub.

B2B enterprise products and technologies in sustainability verticals are IMAB’s focus this year. Selected startups will receive a dedicated mentor and entrepreneur-in-residence (EiR), who will support them during their tenure in India. They will also receive inputs on a localised business model which will offer them insights on a prospective customer-base; provision to find and execute a proof-of-concept with a local client and support in the process of moderation; regular access to corporate partners, industry leaders, investors, government engagement, demo days, media activities, and networking events; and familiarising them with Indian business culture for a soft landing in the market.

The applications for the 2018 batch are now open and will close on 30 June this year.

The international startup applicants will need to meet a set of eligibility criteria to enter the programme. They include a market-ready and revenue-generating product or solution in the home market or elsewhere; the startup has to already have had venture capital funding; proven distribution model at home or other markets; product focus on either the B2B enterprise or sustainability sectors; at least one of the founders needs to be present in India during the programme.

T-Hub said that it shortlisted five international startups from countries like the US, Netherlands, South Korea, Austria, and Canada for its IMAB programme in 2017.

T-Hub is a public-private partnership between the government of Telangana and three premier academic institutes including the Indian School of Business.