Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) creating tomorrow’s IT Leaders

For supporting the software product industry, the Government of India has launched National Policy on Software Products (NPSP) 2019 with a vision to reach this industry to $80 billion by 2025.

By Arvind Kumar

Indian Information Technology (IT) industry had witnessed tremendous and disruptive growth over the last three decades due to the pivotal role played by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) while discharging its services to flourish the IT/ITES Industry.

The Indian IT Industry achieved a landmark target of software services exports to the tune of $150 billion in FY 2021, of which STPI-registered units have contributed around 45%. This leadership in IT has differentiated itself from other industries by focusing on and emphasizing exports, employment generation, and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

STPI is working with concerned stakeholders for maintaining the growth in software services exports year-on-year and dispersal of the IT Industry to Tier II/III cities of the country for balanced regional growth. In addition to this, STPI is now leveraging the strong foundation of the IT Industry and working to increase the share of the pie in the revenue of software products in the world which is presently around $9 billion. For supporting the software product industry, the Government of India has launched National Policy on Software Products (NPSP) 2019 with a vision to reach this industry to $80 billion by 2025 and to nurture the tech startup ecosystem in the country.

As envisioned in NPSP 2019, STPI evolved the Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs) program in a collaborative manner with State Governments, Industry, Industry Associations, Academia, etc. with a vision to nurture 1,900+ startups by 2025 and to become one of the largest tech startup ecosystem enablers in the country.

STPI has launched 20 CoEs across India in emerging technologies and domains such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality, FinTech, MedTech, Data Analytics, Agri IoT, Automotive, Electronics System Design, and Manufacturing, Gaming & Animation, and Industry 4.0. These CoEs have enabled a strong startup support ecosystem comprising of 200+ mentors and approx.

150 partners for creating world-class, cost-effective software products by the startups. As of date, 400+ startups have been selected under STPI CoEs. There are five more CoEs in the pipeline to be launched soon.

With a vision to nurture the tech startup ecosystem further in Tier-II/III cities of the country, STPI has launched Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS) from 12 locations of the country. 42 startups have been selected through Challenge Hunt Under NGIS for Advanced Uninhibited Technology Intervention (CHUNAUTI) 1.0 and 38 startups have been on-boarded. Recently, 129 startups, mainly women-led startups, have also been selected through CHUNAUTI 2.0 program and the process of onboarding is going on.

By leveraging the strong footprints of 62 centers pan-India, STPI is committed to democratizing the IT growth and success of Tier 1 cities in Tier-2/3 cities of the country which in turn, creates significant employment opportunities and attracts investment in those regions.

Arvind Kumar is the Director-General of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI). He was earlier an Advisor in TRAI since 2004.

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