Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)

Software Technology Parks of India was set up in 1991 as an autonomous society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

About STPI

STPI’s main objective has been the promotion of software exports from the country. STPI acts as a single-window in providing services to the software exporters. The services rendered by STPI for the software exporting community have been statutory services, data communications services, incubation facilities, training and value-added services. STPI has played a key developmental role in the promotion of software exports with a special focus on SMEs and startup units.

STPI Centres

At present, a total of 60 STPI centres/sub-centres are operational across the country, out of which 51 centres are in Tier II and Tier III cities. STPI is working closely with the respective state governments/local authorities for the creation of more space, equipped with state–of–the–art infrastructure facilities, for the development of the software industry and increasing exports.

Services

The main services rendered by STPI for the IT/ITES/ESDM industry are statutory services, incubation facilities, data communications services which inter-alia are as under:

Statutory Services

STPI has been implementing the Software Technology Park (STP) scheme and the Electronics Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) scheme for the promotion of IT/ITES industry. The phenomenal success of the IT-ITES industry has been possible, inter-alia, due to the pivotal role played by the STP Scheme. STP Scheme is a unique scheme, designed to promote the software industry and growth of startups and SMEs without any locational constraints.

Incubation Services

Business and technology incubation stimulates the growth of startups. STPI is offering ultra-modern office facilities to small units and entrepreneurs. Plug-n-Play facilities for startups enable a short gestation period. This has encouraged many entrepreneurs to start their own operations and grow in a competitive environment.

Incubation services of STPI include:

• Ready to work-office space with reliable internet connectivity at attractive tariffs. To propel the growth in IPR generation, Product Development and R&D, such incubatees are treated as the preferred category
• Associated services (e.g. phone, VC/conference rooms, back office etc.) on usage basis
• Opportunities for participation in events and promotion through STPI websites
• Access to tools, labs, mentoring, marketing etc. where available

Datacom Services

One of the STPI’s remarkable contributions to the software-exporting sector is the provision of High-Speed Data Communication (HSDC) services. STPI has designed and developed a state-of-the-art HSDC network called SoftNET for software exporters. Local access to international gateways is provided through point-to-point and point-to-multipoint microwave radios which have overcome the last mile problem and enabled STPI to maintain an uptime more than 99%.

Consultancy Services

STPI’s strong domain knowledge, technology capabilities and process knowledge have laid foundation for offering these services:

• Technology consulting and project management services to various national and international organizations
• Providing services for building state-of-the-art communication network infrastructure, network management systems, data centres and network operation centres etc. for various state governments and central government departments
• Providing operation and maintenance support for networks ranging from enterprise to e-governance

STPI Co-Location Services

With the increased expectations from citizens for online services and the number of automation projects being launched by the Government and private as well as corporate clients, the Data Centre requirements are growing exponentially. To fulfil this requirement, STPI is setting up a state-of-the-art Tier-III standard Data Centre at its various Centres across India. These Data Centre will cater to the need of Government/PSUs/Institutions/Industries and other agencies alike. Presently, STPI has five Tier-III Data Centres located in Chennai, Vijayawada, Bhubaneshwar, Bangalore and Mohali. With a total area of 47962 sq. ft., the server farm area of STPI Data Centres comprises 19774 sq. ft. and facilitates 579 racks for businesses of various sizes.

Promotion of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs

STPI has been promoting SMEs and their cause by offering incubation services, organizing events, sponsoring/co-sponsoring events, participation in events and export promotion efforts.

IBPS & NEBPS

STPI is the nodal agency for the implementation of India BPO Promotion Scheme (IBPS) and North East BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) under Digital India Initiative. The objectives of the schemes are to create around 1.5 lakh job opportunities for the local youths of smaller towns and to attract investments in the respective regions for all-round development. These schemes are helping to create the right ecosystem required for the growth of smaller towns and shall bring prosperity to those locations.

SMART Lab

STPI in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka has set up an STPI Semiconductor Measurement Analysis & Reliability Test (SMART) Lab. A first of its kind initiative driven by STPI enabling start-ups and semiconductor companies to test their chip designs locally and reduce product design cycle and operation costs. STPI SMART Lab is equipped with the latest high-end semiconductor test, measurement and reliability test equipment and is aimed at supporting the growth of design and hardware companies out of India.

FabLab

STPI in collaboration with Fab Foundation has set up FabLab at Bhubaneswar in 2019 to provide access to the tools, the knowledge and the financial means to educate, innovate and invent using technology and digital fabrication to allow anyone to make anything, and thereby creating opportunities to improve lives and livelihoods in India. The mission of FabLab is to better our community by providing education, community, workforce and business programming that teaches innovation, design-thinking, problem-solving and change-making, together with open and equitable access to 21^st century digital fabrication tools, equipment and technology.

Electropreneur Park

Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Indian economy. In order to support the new entrepreneurs of this industry, STPI in association with University of Delhi and Indian Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) has set up an Electropreneur Park in the Delhi University campus in 2016. The initiative will support 50 startups in ESDM space and aims to create at least 5 global companies over a period of five years. The park is focusing on local IP creation and indigenous product development resulting in increased domestic value addition and is witnessing a unique integration of academia, industry, government and other incubation supportive elements.

Centre of Excellences (CoEs)

In order to build leadership and to build the next wave of budding entrepreneurs in the emerging sectors of technology like Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, FinTech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented & Virtual Reality (AR/VR), ESDM, Data Science & Analytics, Medical Electronics & Healthcare, Gaming & Animation, Machine Learning, Cyber Security, DroneTech, LegalTech etc., STPI has embarked on launching CoEs in specific domains pan-India. These CoEs aim at providing structural and fundamental support with the right mix of awareness, training, hand-holding, lab and incubation support, etc. in collaboration with suitable partners in various parts of the country. The CoEs will be set up in a collaborative approach by STPI and shall act as single-window facilitation centres to extend requisite lab support, funding & mentoring. The CoEs will have a dedicated chief mentor and eminent experts who would also act as the brand ambassador of CoE.

The following are the currently operational CoEs:

IoT OpenLab at Bengaluru

The STPI IoT OpenLab CoE at Bengaluru presents a huge opportunity for startups in a hyper-connected world to build innovative IoT products and solutions. This CoE, which was launched in 2019, focuses on creating a robust ecosystem in a collaborative model to nurture startups and drive R&D, innovation & product development in IoT while focusing on sectors like defence, aeronautics, industrial, agriculture, health, automotive and education etc. The CoE targets to nurture around 500 startups over a period of 5 years. With the flexibility of both physical and virtual incubation models, IoT OpenLab aims to bring massive innovation culture in the country.

FinBlue at Chennai

The STPI FinBlue, a Center of Excellence in FinTech, at Chennai is a first-of-its-kind incubation facility, which aims further strengthening India as the leader in FinTech industry by providing accessibility to technology, mentorship, incubation facility, world-class labs and funding. FinBlue, which was launched in 2019, offers an integrated program to start-ups to scale through its incubation facility by providing access to SandBox, an environment that consists of APIs of different participating banks, NPCI products, Core Banking Software and other enabling services through various stakeholders. FinBlue intends to support and nurture 58 start-ups over a period of 5 years.

NEURON at Mohali

STPI NEURON, a Centre of Excellence in AI/Data Analytics, IoT and AVG, set up in 2019 in collaboration with the Government of Punjab, ISB-Mohali, PTU and MeitY, is a pioneering initiative to identify and evaluate promising startups in the field of AI/Data Analytics, IoT and AVG and nurture them to build path-breaking products and solutions in the domains the CoE focuses on. NEURON has a dedicated 500 seat co-working space and labs for AI/Data Analytics, IoT and AVG. Apart from physical infrastructure, the hub has the access to industry, industry associations and academia to further strengthen the fostering of startups.

MOTION at Pune

The STPI MOTION, a CoE in Automated, Connected, Electric & Shared (ACES) mobility space at Pune, creates a promising environment and provides necessary support to startups, young entrepreneurs and innovators in this domain in collaboration with government, industry, industry association and academia. This CoE, which was launched in 2019, hosts a physical lab facility, state-of-the-art incubation space along with training, mentoring, networking and marketing support, access to financial resources, IPR and other support services for the benefit of the startups. The CoE plans to nurture 51 startups over a period of 5 years.

VARCoE at Bhubaneswar

STPI Virtual & Augmented Centre of Excellence (VARCoE) at Bhubaneshwar aims to develop a high potential ecosystem to undertake world-class research in AR & VR by establishing state-of-the-art testing facility/laboratories for advanced algorithms, applications and methods in aid of AR & VR for immersive visualization in areas including skill development, product design, healthcare, art and architecture, transport, construction, tourism, entertainment, education and productivity software. Established in 2019 in collaboration with MeitY, Government of Odisha, IIT Bhubaneswar and philanthropist Smt. Susmita Bagchi, VARCoE plays a massive role in delivering an immersive experience in the areas of Gaming & Entertainment, E-commerce & Retail, Interior Designing & Landscaping, Real Estate, Tourism & Travel, Education & Training, Healthcare, Communication & Collaboration, Manufacturing & Occupational Safety and Advertising & Marketing. This CoE plans to 300 startups over a period of 5 years.

Electropreneur Park at Bhubaneswar

Emulating the success of Electropreneur Park (EP) in New Delhi, STPI has established the second ESDM CoE in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha in 2019. EP at Bhubaneshwar aspires to contribute to the ESDM growth story of India through the creation of a holistic eco-system for encouraging R&D, innovation, Entrepreneurship in the ESDM sector. This eco-system is necessary to develop, promote, incubate, mentor and create breakthrough innovations in the ESDM sector. This CoE will emphasize on development of product and IP creation in the ESDM sector. STPI Electropreneur Park, Bhubaneswar intends to incubate 35-40 startups over a period of five years.

IMAGE at Hyderabad

STPI has opened IMAGE, a CoE focused on Gaming, VFX, Computer Vision & AI, at Hyderabad in collaboration with Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA) and Telangana VFX, Animation, and Gaming Association (TVAGA), partnering with industry, academia, supported by MeitY and Government of Telangana in 2020. This CoE will support product development and innovative solutions in the fields of “Gaming, VFX, and Computer Vision & AI” under strategy guidance by business leaders, technical and domain experts and provide access to the required infrastructure and labs to start-ups for development and validation of solution, from design to prototyping. IMAGE CoE intends to support and nurture 140 startups over a period of 5 years.

Source: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY)