Department of IT Woos Startups with Free Office Space, Internet
The Goa IT Department, which is spearheading the government’s efforts on the Goa IT policy front met with around 35 representatives of Goan startups on Tuesday. Yes, it finally happened.
The meeting, the second such discussion with local IT companies was called to discuss two crucial issues. First, the government wants to know more about local IT companies and startups and what they do. So guys and gals, in case you get a call the next time asking for details about your employees, turnover, profit and products, don’t cut the call. It’s just the friendly guy at the department doing his job.
The second and more important topic discussed at the meeting was to see if startups were interested in a plug-n-play facility near Panaji where office space and internet would be on the house. Sounds sweet to us but do let us know what you think about it.
A little bird tells us that the government has already narrowed down on two commercial spaces around the city with around 7,000 sq feet of space available. The space will be managed by Software Technology Parks of India, which will not only manage the office space but also provide quality and consistent internet.
STPI, which you all know is an organization run by the central Ministry of Communication and Information Technology with the objective of encouraging software exports from India. So naturally they will also host an incubator for export-oriented startups.
In what maybe a historic moment for us, the chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar mentioned startups on the floor of the house. I guess now we know why they asked for the definition of startups.
Do share your excitement or skepticism about these developments.