Tech Mahindra, Telangana Government launch Blockchain District Accelerator Program for startups

Tech Mahindra announced the launch of the T-Block Accelerator, the inaugural accelerator program for the Telangana Blockchain District in partnership with the Government of Telangana and IBC Media, an innovation management company. The launch event was organized at Tech Mahindra Infocity Campus in Hyderabad and was represented by government dignitaries, blockchain startups, educational institutes and members from the developer community.

The event was graced by several dignitaries from the government including Jayesh Ranjan (Principal Secretary of Industries & Commerce and IT Dept, Telangana Government), Rama Devi (Officer on Special Duty (OSD), ITE&C Department, Government of Telangana) and other leading senior corporate executives from the industry.

Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary ITE&C Department, Government of Telangana, said: “The state of Telangana is committed to its vision of positioning Hyderabad as one of the leading Blockchain cities of the world. We are happy to set in motion the first edition of the T-Block Accelerator program. This accelerator will be a torch-bearer to multiple future blockchain accelerators in the country and we are excited to partner with Tech Mahindra to identify and promote innovative blockchain-based solutions to solve real-world problems.”

The launch of T-Block is a step in the continuation of Telangana Government’s endeavour to make Telangana as the ‘Blockchain Capital of the World’. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between the Government of Telangana and Tech Mahindra to this effect in 2018. This initiative is aimed at startups that have a strong blockchain use-case; thereby accelerating the start-up growth and therein contributing to the growth of the overall industry.

Through this initiative, Tech Mahindra, aims at enabling the creation of an ecosystem, which will empower startups to solve tough business problems for clients across diverse industry verticals, says a release from the company. The Telangana Government will help provide the required regulatory framework to enable and promote Blockchain growth.

Rajesh Dhuddu, Global Practice Leader, Blockchain, Tech Mahindra, said: “As part of our TechMNxt charter, we at Tech Mahindra have been bullish in our efforts to expand blockchain adoption in India and globally. Our partnership with the state government for the Telangana Blockchain District stems from our desire to build a world-class support infrastructure for blockchain startups and make Hyderabad a destination of choice among several new-age entrepreneurs and blockchain evangelists. We look forward to successfully running the T-Block Accelerator and building the public blockchain ecosystem in India.”

The registrations for the T-Block Accelerator have been open from 3 February 2020 with a one-week boot camp, followed by a four-week-long intensive training programme. Participating startups will receive mentorship and guidance from leading experts in the startup and blockchain space. The programme includes workshops, presentations, discussions, and assignments designed to impart the practical knowledge required to build relevant blockchain products with real-world applications.

Startups that have a Blockchain use case and want to join the T-Block accelerator Program can visit: http://blockchaindistrict.telangana.gov.in/tblock