Google’s push for startups in state

Bhubaneswar: If sources are to be believed, internet giant Google and the state government are exploring ways for collaboration to provide back-end support to startups in the state.
The move assumes significance in the backdrop of Odisha’s ambitious plan to emerge as one of the country’s top three startup hubs by 2020, and facilitate at least 1,000 start-ups over the next five years.
According to sources, Google, under its Cloud Start-Up programme, would provide free credits to early-stage companies so that they can focus on building a business. It would shoulder the responsibility of scaling and securing their infrastructure. However, the start-ups have to meet certain criteria, said a government official.
The state government has recognised around 250 startups, which may partner with Google for mentoring. On an average, the state government is according recognition to 20 new startups under the Startup Odisha initiative. Of the total startups recognised by the state, 50 are in tech domain.
The state is also planning to start the second leg of Startup Odisha Yatra in October. In its first phase, it covered about 50 institutions in 15 out of 30 districts in the state. Plans are afoot to cover the remaining districts in October to promote grassroot-level innovations.
For facilitating ease of doing business to the fledgling companies, Odisha has a relaxed criterion for startups on the lines notified by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.