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[Startup Hatch] PSG-STEP Coimbatore drives 130 startups in IT, electronics and mechanical engineering

[Startup Hatch] PSG-STEP Coimbatore drives 130 startups in IT, electronics and mechanical engineering

Monday July 01, 2013 , 8 min Read

[This article is part of the series called Startup Hatch, about incubators and accelerators in the startup ecosystem]

PST

The PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore runs a Science & Technology Entrepreneurial Park (PSG-STEP), a technology business incubator facility for over 30 startups. Dr. K. Suresh Kumar is the general manager of PSG-STEP, and supports startups in the areas of information technology, electronics and mechanical engineering. He also handles the Secretariat of Asia Pacific Incubation Network (APIN), an initiative supported by infoDev, World Bank & Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

Suresh is certified as Business Incubaton Trainer by infoDev, The World Bank Group and a mentor in the National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN). He had participated in various international programs and workshops held in the US, Australia, China, Finland, Brazil, Malaysia and Thailand. Suresh holds a degree in mechanical engineering and a PhD in management. He joins us in this exclusive interview on the opportunities and challenges for startups and incubators in India.

YS: What was the founding vision of your incubator, and how is it supported?

PSG College of Technology was involved in promoting entrepreneurship in the region for more than three decades. The activities of the institute in promoting entrepreneurship are converted into a systematic approach by establishing the Entrepreneurship Development Cell, which has been started with the support from National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

Based on the performance, in the year 1998, NSTEDB supported PSG College of Technology to establish PSG-STEP – the Technology Business Incubator to promote technology startups in the region.

PSG-STEP is spread over an area of more than 25,000 sq.ft to accommodate 31 startups, in the areas of IT, mechanical engineering, and electronics. PSG-STEP provides technical services that include R & D activities, product development, re-engineering, calibration and testing facilities, quality assurance and market research to the entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs utilise the various Centers of Excellence of PSG College of Technology.

YS: What is the profile of the managers of your incubator?

PSG-SureshKumar

PSG-STEP has been lead by a team of four members who have experience in industry and management. Two members of the team have more than a decade of experience in incubation and entrepreneurship promotion.

YS: What would you say are the Top Three opportunities and challenges for Indian startups?

The present industrial scenario and the emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem help the Indian startups to build knowledge based technology startups in electronics, biotech and ICT.

The key challenges to the startups are: access to low cost early stage funding, exposure to mentoring and access to mentors, and team-building.

The incubator provides seed funding to the startups, which is flexible, and in easy terms without affecting the equity structure of the organisation. The network established by the incubators helps the startups with easy access to mentors.

YS: What are the selection criteria for startups in your incubator?

PSG-STEP extends support to the technology startups, preferably a product company, which is less than two years in age. The business plan is reviewed by the team of experts and the company is selected on the basis of feedback on the techno-commercial aspects.

YS: What support and services do startups receive in your incubator?

PSG-STEP provides the incubation space to the startups and also shares the equipment, laboratory facilities, software and hardware to the startups for product development. The networks of PSG-STEP are utilised by the startups for mentoring and technical advice.

PSG-STEP extends early stage seed funding to the startups. Apart from the above support services, the incubatees utilise the common facilities like learning resources and other services of the institution for the benefit of their operations.

YS: What kinds of IP are being created by your startups?

The startups focus on building IP through patents and design rights. Our incubatees focus on building IP in vision system, wireless technologies, and so on.

YS: How would you differentiate your incubator from the other incubators in the field?

PSG-STEP incubator has a space more than 25,000 sq.ft to accommodate about 30 startups. PSG-STEP has created an incubation facility in the thrust areas of ICT, electronics and mechanical engineering. PSG-STEP had contributed to the capacity building of the business incubation as the Secretariat for the Asia Pacific Incubation Network (APIN).

YS: What would you define as success for your incubator?

Self-sustainability of the incubator, contribution to the entrepreneurial eco-system of the region, and internationalisation of the incubator

YS: How do you compare and contrast India’s incubators with that of other countries like US and China?

The entrepreneurial eco-system is more vibrant in US with enough space for networking, mentoring and access to capital. In India, the incubation movement has gathered momentum during the last two decades and is picking up with more public and private incubators being established during the last five years.

PSG

YS: How many companies did you start off with, and which ones do you have now?

PSG-STEP started with two companies in the year 1998 and 32 startups are operating from PSG-STEP. See Tables 1 and 2 for the current crop of companies and the previously graduated ones.

Table 1: Current incubatee companies

Name of the Company WebsiteName of the PromoterSector
1Archstone Consulting Engineerswww.archstone.inMs Padmini RadhakrishnanICT
2Cable Partner Call Solution Indiawww.carotechs.comMr Vinod Kumar SICT
3Carolina Technology Solutionswww.carotechs.comMr Vivek DevasICT
4Consolidated Cybernaticswww.consolidatedcybernaticsindia.comMr Rangaswami P RICT
5Fed Labswww.fedlabs.inMr Sojesh SomapalanElectronics
6G-Net Solutions Cbewww.g-netsolutions.comMr Ramesh GICT
7Green ECM Technologieswww.greenecmtech.comMr Sivaram PICT
8Logic Genie SoftTechMs Chinmaya Priya VettaikaranICT
9Jaden Solutionswww.jadensolutions.inMr Xreus Michel Edison CICT
10Kalycito Infotechwww.kalycito.comMr Bhagath Singh KElectronics
11Lexbit Technologieswww.lexbitinc.comMr Praveen AIT
12Meta Yage Ip Strategy Consultingwww.metayage.comMr Arjun Karthick BalaIP
13Mezoblanca Solutions (India)www.mezoblanca.comMr Arun Kumar MICT
14Panini Infotechwww.paniniinfotech.netMs Sudha SICT
15Profitaire SolutionsMr Mohit ParmanandkaICT
16Richmond Technologieswww.richmound.co.inMr Sampath Kumar NICT
17Simgrosys Consulting Serviceswww.simgrosys.comMr Visvanathan KEngineering
18Sivatec SolutionsMr Sadhasivam PICT
19Unilogic Technologieswww.unilogic.inMr Senthil KumarElectronics
20Vectra Form Engineering Serviceswww.vectraform.netMr Prabahar AnnamalaiEngineering
21Vestige Technoloies Pvt.Ltdwww.vestige-tech.comMr Rammohan GEngineering
22Vidvus Technology Solutions Indiawww.vidvus.comMs SrilathaEngineering
23Visinture Strategic Solutions (Cbe)Mr Bhadrinaath C RICT
24Webstarswww.webstarsnet.inMr Raja Renga Bashyam SICT
25Aries Biomed Technologywww.ariesbiomed.comMr PragadeeswaranBiomedical Equipment
26Vista Engineering Solutionswww.vistaes.comMr SaravananEngineering Services
27Infinit Solutionswww.infiso.comMr Uday KumarICT
28Joule Foodswww.joulefoods.comDr P SathyamoorthyFood Processing
29KSB Rotational Moulds Productswww.ksbrotationalmouldsproducts.comMr R ShivakkumarRota Mould Products
30VenPep Soultionswww.venpep.comMr Shyam VellumaniICT

Table 2: Incubated Companies

Name of the Company Name of the PromoterSector

1

Onspec-Legend www.onspec.comMr RamachandranVLSI design

2

US Software SolutionsMr.S.PadmanabanCOM based business

3

Amoeba Telecom (acquired by isoftel)Mr VenugopalTelecom Software

4

Tech Info SoftwaresMr Radesh ShyamVB based projects

5

Rnd Softech www.rndsoftech.comMs DeepikaMedical Transcription

6

Realsoft CybersystemsMr Shyam KottariFinance Package

7

Infosol Technologies www.infosoltechnologies.comMr SaravananRegional Auto portal

8

CybersolMr RameshMedical Transcription

9

Vectraform Engineering www.vectraform.comMr A PrabakaranCAD / CAM

10

Manasaraovar ConsultingMr R Ramanane-integration

11

Samson TechnologiesMr Sabu JohnMedical Transcription

12

Lucid Technologies www.lucidtechsol.comMr Srinathe-commerce Solutions

13

School 4 success.comMr Siva SubramanianPersonality Development Portal

14

APT Solutions (merged)Mr BalasundaramJava based Application

15

Bluecubes SoftwaresMr ThangamuthuInternet Solutions

16

Taask Datascribe InfosysMr SureshMedical Transcription

17

Hotinfonet Software LabsMr A RiyadTelecom Softwares

18

Media WoodMr C GouthamMultimedia Applications

19

Sudarshan Softwares Exports www.sselindia.comMr S ThirunavukkarasuSoftware Devpt. & Training

20

Rao TechnologiesMr B Vyasa RaoERP & Software development

21

Paramount Quality SystemMs Rajula SpurgeonERP for Plantation Industry

22

D M Data IndiaMr S KesavanPublic Safety Software

23

Simha TechnologiesMr KrishnakumarWeb Content Development

24

Rasquares Information SystemsMr K RaamkumarWAP Applications

25

Timesys India www.timesys.comMr Madan SendilEmbedded System

26

B.E.S TechnologiesMr Tee NarayanswamiData Zoning & Conversion

27

Best Infoways India Pvt LtdMr N VijayakkrishnaCall Center

28

Sapience Software India Pvt LtdMr Suresh MenonERP, CRM & SCM

29

Elmaq Software Pvt LtdMr BalajiERP for SMEs

30

Havilah TechnologiesMr. P J VinodITES

31

Digital DynamixMr. K.K. ShankarWeb Development

32

Edge Infotech & Consultancy ServicesMr. Raj KumarSoftware Development

33

Wisdom Infotech www.wisdominfotech.comMr. Raj KamalInternet Solutions

34

e-Brahma Technologies (acquired by CSS Group)Mr Paramasivame – Commerce

35

Tamilnadu Computer Education & OrganisationMr K VenkatesanSoftware Training cum Development

36

Cosmos netMr MuralikumarISP – DSL, Franchisee

37

Mac AcademyMr A MohanrajMultimedia Training and Application

38

Venus InternationalMr. Suresh BabuSoftware Devpt.

39

Premier Systems and ManagementMr. D. RamkumarWeb Applications

40

Hykon Transcripts P LtdMedical Transcription

41

Mindocean InfosolutionsMr. Venkatesan

42

Ambigro www.ambigro.comMr. KarthikTextile Enterprise Applicatins

43

Comdus Solutions www.comdus.comMr N RajendranInternet based applications

44

Emerge Software TechnologyMr Jaffer AliERP for engineering Industry

45

Vyosoft DG Technologies www.vyosoft.comMr Mohan SiddanSoftware Development

46

Corrosion Management ServicesMr V ManikamCorrosion database Management Software

47

Griam Tech SolutionsMr Prem KumarSoftware Devpt.

48

Skava Systems www.skava.comMs. SudhaMobile Games

49

Nimbeon Inter Technologies www.nimbeon.comMs. Kavitha SukumarDesign & Engineering Operations

50

Daffodils MultimediaMr. SanmugaanandMultimedia Devpt.

51

Next Gen TeknologiesMr. AnandSoftware Development

52

K-Logic TechnoSolutions www.klogicsoftware.comMr. A KasiSoftware Development

53

Vibgyor software & ExportsMr. K C KrishnanSoftware Development

54

Maxval IPwww.maxval.comDr. Bommi BommannanIP Management

55

Sednasoft TechnologiesMr. ThilakWeb applications

56

WeoutsourceMr. GandhinathanWeb applications

57

Linsys TechnologiesMr P SundarrajanSoftware Development

58

Clear Software P LtdMr Akthar AhmedSoftware Development

59

Fornax System Pvt LtdMr RajasekarSoftware Training cum Development

60

ACT Software (Cbe) www.amulya.comMr S SathishWeb based applications

61

Konvertis WebsolutionMr. V Jaya KrishnaWeb development

62

Techno Heitz SolutionsMr R RamkumarWeb Applications

63

Arthana TechnologiesMr. ArunWeb applications

64

Sujith ConsultancyMr. K JayaramanSoftware Development

65

Prolinture Software India www.ibell.comMr. NagarajanPDM / PLM Software Development

66

ACT InfosolutionsMr. V D JayakanthanSoftware Development

67

Duce SoftwareMs K SavithaEnterprise Applications

68

AKT BPOwww.aktbpo.comMr Daniel VictorBPO Service

69

SNAP Software India Pvt LtdMr. SanjaySoftware Development

70

CGS Systems PVT LtdMr Rajagopal & Mr ManiERP for Knitting & Apparel Industry

71

Springlogic TechnologiesMs DhanapriyaERP for Knitting & Apparel Industry

72

Mascot esoft TechnologiesMr A JayakumarCAD / CAM

73

Global.comMr ReghuSoftware Development

74

Projection MicrosoftMr K S MuruganandamITES

75

Bioniik InnovationsMr SP BalajiBiotechnology

76

Infoaxiom (INDIA) www.infoaxiom.comMr Kumar RamajayamSoftware Development

77

VPA Direct www.vpadirect.comMr Vishnu Mahesh

78

Team Moplet www.moplet.comMr Norbu M AshrafMobile Applications

79

Sovereign Infotech Pvt LtdMr Balakrishnan

80

TechBits TechnologiesMr Peter

81

CRM 24 X 7

82

Anokka Systems

83

Alchemist Techno Labs Pvt Ltd

84

Globus Infosoft Pvt Ltd

85

Codesoft SolutionsMr J MathuramSoftware Development

86

Loukyaa TechnologiesMr Arun Kumar

87

Megha Cloud InfotechMr K Jayaram

88

Lesan Technologies www.lesantech.comMr VishnuSoftware Development

89

Soft Info Technology www.hiristechnologies.comDinesh Babu B

90

Hiris TechnologiesGunasekar DuraisamySoftware Development

91

Altius Technologies www.altius-ecom.comVellayan LakshmananE-Commerce Solutions

92

Ocenture IDO www.ocenture.comSubash GPrivate label product development

93

Set Infotech www.setinfotech.comSethu Se-books and m-apps

94

Iserve Consultancy www.iserveconsultancy.comP Krishnakumar

95

Minveli Infotech www.minveli.inDhanapal PERP

97

Lesan Technologies www.lesantech.comVishnu Vardhan LApplication Development

98

Candrila Information Systems www.candrila.comMr Raja Rajan ChellappaSoftware Development

99

Compass Technology Solutions www.compasstechnologysolutions.comMr Balaji MSoftware Development

YS: What are your plans for the coming 3-5 years with respect to new startups?

PSG-STEP is planning to enhance the support extended to the technology startups by providing mentorship capital and to increase the IP portfolio of the startups and the institution.

YS: What are your recommendations to the startups and entrepreneurs in our audience?

Startups should leverage the support system available in the eco-system to minimise their risk and to maximise the success of the venture.

[Follow YourStory's research director Madanmohan Rao on Twitter http://twitter.com/MadanRao]