Mangaluru (The Hindu): Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the first start-up incubation centre for Dakshina Kannada will come up at Mallikatta in the city in the next four months.

She was speaking to presspersons after interacting with members of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mayor Kavitha Sanil, Mangaluru City Corporation officials, MPs Nalin Kumar Kateel and Shibha Karandlaje here at MCC’s Mallikatta building.

Ms. Sitharaman said the 6,000 sqft. facility at MCC building in Mallikatta, being set up at a cost of ?1.18 crore, could accommodate 60 seats. She said the Centre would offer basic infrastructure for any start-ups that are looking up for space and the necessary infrastructure would be made available to them at nominal rates.

The Minister noted that there are start-ups who require space for one hour a day or working space for a week or perhaps for a whole month. There should be space to sit, work and ideate depending upon the demand for a start-up, she said. Ms. Sitharaman said the facility should enable start-ups to talk business with partners and clients. NASSCOM has agreed to provide a representative to facilitate the set up, she said.

She noted that at present, many start-ups go away to other places due to lack of an eco-system to commence business/ industry. While the region has many qualified talents, they should not be made to go away and be given necessary facilities here only, the Minister said.

Ms. Sitharaman said industries in the region may partner with the centre and look for solutions, instead of searching elsewhere. In fact, interaction with the industry would strengthen the start-up programme.