Zone Startups has launched, “Gateway 91”, a soft landing program to work with international startups and growth stage companies looking to access the Indian market, and establish a presence.

Gateway91 is the fourth new program announced by Zone Startups in 2016, including empoWer, Rise Accelerator with Barclays and Thought Factory Accelerator with Axis Bank.

Today the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Government of Canada announced the creation of a new soft landing program for international companies looking to expand into India. Minister Bains further announced a partnership between the governments of Canada and Ontario to fund five Canadian financial technology startups to participate in the new program to help Canadian innovators seize the many opportunities provided by the Indian market.

Hon. Michael Chan, Ontario’s Minister of International Trade said, “We’re proud to be a partner with the federal government and Zone Startups to support the Gateway91 program. This initiative will help Canadian fintech innovators bring their breakthrough concepts and technologies into the Indian market which will create jobs and economic growth in both regions.”

Matt Saunders, President of Zone Startups, added: “Through programs like Gateway91, Zone Startups will continue to assist early stage enterprise software companies as they look to scale in the Indian market. Our extensive connections and programming continue to attract great founders developing innovative solutions. We’re proud to partner with both the Federal and Ontario governments to give Canadian FinTech startups the opportunity to benefit from our leading services to grow and thrive in India.”

Gateway 91 will offer end-to-end services for an international technology companies looking to set up their first office in India. Zone Startups India will help companies make the daunting transition to a new market by providing supports including:

§ work space within a community of like-minded entrepreneurs,

§ local industry expert mentors,

§ professional and administrative services for business establishment,

§ corporate connections for customer development and;

§ networking opportunities with potential investors

The first set of companies expected to be a part of Gateway91 will be selected through a competitive program in Canada, and will be announced in early 2017.

“Setting up Gatway91 was a natural extension to what we have been doing at Zone Startups India,” said Ajay Ramasubramaniam, Director, Zone Startups India. “The ecosystem of mentors, potential partners and professional service providers needed by international startups to succeed in India is something that we have already built. In fact, over the last year, we have supported 16 companies from different areas, helping them with introductions to several potential partners and clients. To a great extent, this also aligns with Government of India's Invest in India and Make in India vision as these international technology companies will create knowledge economy job opportunities”.

Other corporates from India are in talks with Zone Startups team, to establish a partnership, as they see a natural fit for extending their support and services to this initiative. “We will be announcing a few exciting partnerships over the next few weeks, and make Gateway 91, a complete package for accessing the Indian market, and establishing a strong local presence”, said Ajay Ramasubramaniam.

"The Indian startup ecosystem is one of the fastest growing in the world. The new accelerator is in line with the Start-up India mission envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Over the past 2 years, Zone Startups India has built up a solid network of corporate, industry experts and investors across the globe. We are delighted to partner with Ryerson Futures and dedicate this zone to the nation"said, Ambarish Datta, MD & CEO, BSE Institute Ltd.
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1 Comments

Marietjie said…
Pls add me to your mailing list
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