‘Startup Kadapa’ initiative aims to boost youth entrepreneurship in Andhra Pradesh's Rayalaseema

TIRUPATI: “Startup Kadapa”, an ambitious first-of-its-kind project set to be launched in Kadapa in the Rayalaseema region, aims to nurture and develop entrepreneurial talent among youth by providing a professional platform to unlock new opportunities. According to District Collector Sreedhar Cherukuri, around 15,000 tech professionals in Kadapa district are currently working from home and are seeking a suitable platform to advance their entrepreneurial ambitions. “The startup ecosystem has become a defining trend for this generation, shifting the focus from traditional employment to innovation, problem-solving, and growth. Startup Kadapa is one such initiative through which the government of Andhra Pradesh, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, aims to align with this culture driven by young entrepreneurs leveraging new-age technologies to build solutions from the ground up,” the Collector said. As part of efforts to transform Kadapa into a hub for startups and innovation, the district administration is in the process of establishing the Startup Kadapa hub building. The facility, spread across 30,000 sq ft, will be equipped with modern office infrastructure and amenities and is expected to accommodate more than 400 people in a plug-and-play environment soon. Out of the total investment of ₹12 crore for the project, NITI Aayog has sanctioned ₹3 crore, while Shirdi Sai Electricals has contributed ₹4 crore under its CSR initiative. The remaining funds have been sourced from other contributors. TDP zonal coordinator Reddeppagari Srinivasulu Reddy said the programme is likely to be launched between June and July, depending on the schedules of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and IT Minister Nara Lokesh. “The Startup Kadapa initiative will not only benefit the 15,000 work-from-home tech professionals in the district but also create new opportunities for the next generation of youth aspiring for innovation and entrepreneurial excellence in sectors such as small businesses, lifestyle, and food processing,” he said. He added that the district administration, led by Collector Sreedhar Cherukuri, has held several meetings with NRIs, technocrats, industry experts, and universities to bring them on board. The aim is to create a world-class startup ecosystem capable of supporting over 50 startups with an investment of ₹500 crore over the next five years.