Unpacking T-Hub working model and expansion plans

T-Hub, which facilitates collaborations between startups, venture capital firms, government and corporates, has played a significant role in creating a startup culture in Telangana and beyond.

Operated by Telangana government and Hyderabad-based International Institute of Information Technology, Indian School of Business and National Academy of Legal Studies and Research, it claims to have nurtured over 3,500 startups in the past eight years.

To understand the incubator’s working model, nurturing startups, and expansion plan among others, Entrackr caught up with Srinivas Rao Mahankali, chief executive officer (CEO) of T-Hub.

Launched in 2015, T-Hub provides office spaces, essential infrastructure and the incubator claims that its portfolio has managed to raise approximately $800 million in funding. At present, it houses over 500 startups, with 300 operating from its premises.

When asked about the role of government and private partners, Srinivas explains, “The capital expenditure (capEx) at T-Hub is done by the government while operations and cash flow management is on us.”

T-Hub generates cash-flow by leasing rental space, paid corporate and international programs and funding, as per Srinivas.

“Our role is here to connect startups to potential investors and lately we charge some small fee depending on the success of startups,” he said.

“We help early-stage companies to convert their ideas into a prototype, helping them to get their product market fit and enable them to get funding at the right time from angel networks as well as venture capitalists (VCs),” Srinivas said on solving problems for startups.

The Hyderabad-based firm is sector agnostics with focus on segments such as healthcare, sustainability, enterprise tech, web and mobility.

According to Srinivas, the incubator is building an ecosystem to support startups. “We are working with other states while not setting up our own offices but as a knowledge partner with them,” he said.

T-Hub is also working with the Bihar government and is looking to expand into more states. Recently, Hexagon’s R&D Center in India launched its startup catalyst program with the support of T-Hub.