The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has launched a new incubation facility in Salt Lake, Kolkata. This initiative aims to promote entrepreneurship, boost IT exports from West Bengal, and strengthen the region's Information Technology (IT), IT-enabled services (ITeS), and Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) industries. The incubation centre spans 200,000 square feet, including 75,000 square feet of raw incubation space, and offers plug-and-play office setups. It is equipped with high-speed data communication and modern infrastructure to support IT/ITeS startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Startups housed in the facility will have access to mentorship, industry collaborations, and global networking opportunities. The initiative is also expected to create significant direct and indirect employment in the region. As India continues to expand its technology landscape, the focus remains on fostering innovation and developing advanced digital capabilities, including artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies. The government is working towards ensuring equitable access to emerging technologies for researchers, students, and startups, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. STPI plays a crucial role in this transformation, currently operating 67 centres across India, with 59 located in non-metropolitan regions to drive inclusive growth. The organization has also established 24 domain-specific Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs) dedicated to sectors such as HealthTech, MedTech, Blockchain, IoT, and Agritech. By expanding technology access and incubation support beyond major urban centres, initiatives like the STPI facility in Kolkata contribute to India's vision of becoming a global leader in technology and innovation. News source: SwarajyaImage Source: ET