In another example of the state’s efforts to create startup synergies between New Jersey and India, the New Jersey Innovation Institute signed a memorandum of understanding with the T-Hub Foundation, India’s leading startup incubator, in Hyderabad, India.
The MOU, which aims to encourage collaboration, innovation and support economic growth in New Jersey and the State of Telangana in India, was signed by Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way and came during the first economic mission trip of the NJ-India Commission.
“This collaboration is a testament to the strength of our global partnerships,” Way said. “These two institutions, the New Jersey Innovation Institute, and the T-Hub Foundation work to uplift innovators. By working together, we are not only advancing innovation but also deepening the cultural and economic bonds between New Jersey and India.”
NJII, a nonprofit subsidiary of NJIT, leverages academic, public, and private resources to address market challenges through innovation and workforce development. T-Hub, based in Hyderabad, has created a robust ecosystem for entrepreneurship, focusing on startup incubation, acceleration, and market access.
“This agreement strengthens our ongoing efforts in critical industries such as artificial intelligence, life sciences, health care, and manufacturing,” Wes Mathews, the CEO of Choose New Jersey and chair of the New Jersey-India Commission, said. “India is one of New Jersey’s most vital international partners. Together, we are driving technological advancements that will benefit both regions.”
NJII President Michael Johnson said the agreement will have impact.
“At NJII, we are dedicated to creating ecosystems that spark innovation and economic growth,” he said. “Our partnership with T-Hub will unlock new opportunities for collaboration in emerging technologies, fostering long-term economic and community impact.”
In 2019, Choose New Jersey and T-Hub signed a tripartite agreement with VentureLink, the community hub for technology companies at NJIT, to advance startup innovation, funding, and entrepreneurship. This earlier collaboration laid the groundwork for the continued exchange of ideas and resources, further solidifying the relationship between New Jersey and India as global leaders in fostering technological advancements and economic growth.
The MOU was signed before the highly regarded minister for information technology, electronics, and communication, industry and commerce for the government of telangana, Shri Duddilla Sridhar Babu, whose visionary leadership has been instrumental in positioning Telangana as a global hub for innovation and technology.
“New Jersey is a remarkable example of how diversity drives innovation, with a thriving Indian-American community and one of the world’s highest concentrations of Indian-origin professionals,” Babu said.
“This collaboration between NJII and T-Hub underscores the potential of bringing together the best of both worlds — Telangana’s proven expertise in driving transformative advancements in artificial intelligence, life sciences, and technology, and New Jersey’s robust academic and industrial ecosystems.
“Telangana has consistently demonstrated leadership in building cutting-edge solutions and fostering global partnerships. Today’s collaboration is not just about innovation but about creating an enduring bridge of knowledge, technology, and opportunity between two regions committed to shaping the future of the global economy.”
