Kolkata: In a significant move to strengthen India’s technology ecosystem, the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art incubation facility in Salt Lake, Kolkata. The facility was inaugurated by Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Electronics & IT, marking a crucial step toward fostering innovation-led entrepreneurship, IT exports, and emerging technologies in West Bengal.
Speaking at the event, Jitin Prasada highlighted the government’s vision to position India as a global technology hub. He emphasized that the new STPI incubation center aligns with the Digital India mission and will provide startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs with the infrastructure and support needed to scale innovations in AI, IoT, Blockchain, and FinTech.
“India is on a transformative journey to become a leader in technology and innovation. The inauguration of this facility reaffirms our commitment to nurturing startups, expanding digital access, and fostering growth beyond metropolitan hubs,” he said. He also stressed the government’s focus on AI-driven research, indigenous GPU development, and expanding tech opportunities in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
The new incubation facility, spanning 200,000 sq. ft., offers cutting-edge plug-and-play office spaces, with 75,000 sq. ft. of raw incubation space for startups. High-speed data connectivity, state-of-the-art labs, and mentorship programs will provide a conducive environment for entrepreneurs in the IT/ITeS/ESDM sectors.
Arvind Kumar, Director General, STPI, emphasized that the center will enable startups to drive innovation, access global markets, and contribute to India’s digital economy. He added that Kolkata’s intellectual and creative legacy makes it an ideal hub for emerging technologies.
Since its inception in 1991, STPI has been instrumental in transforming India’s IT/ITeS industry, operating 67 centers across India, with 59 in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. It has also launched 24 domain-specific Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs) focused on HealthTech, Blockchain, Agritech, and AI.
The Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS) and other startup initiatives have supported 1,300+ startups, offering end-to-end assistance, industry collaborations, and market access. This new facility is expected to generate significant employment opportunities in the region.
With West Bengal emerging as a key player in IT and software exports, the STPI Kolkata facility aligns with the government’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, ensuring inclusive technological growth, digital accessibility, and global competitiveness.
The inauguration was attended by industry leaders, including Manjit Nayak, Director, STPI Kolkata, and senior executives from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Concentrix, and GlobalFoundries Engineering Pvt. Ltd.
