Mangaluru : Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman inspected the site for housing start-up incubation centre at the city corporation’s sub office at Mallikatta here on Friday June 16.

After conducting the spot ispection she said  Rs 1.18 crore released from the MP’s fund, towards the setting up of start-up incubation centre planned to be established in Mangaluru. The Centre will provide basic infrastructure to startup projects, regardless of the number.

The startups will be provided space where they can also get internet connection and plug and play facilities which they can hire at a very nominal rate. Resource persons will periodically mentor the startups. The place will have space for 60 seats with plug and play facility for short or medium-term projects, she explained.

The minister said the aim of the startup project is to retain talented people in the very region. Industries will be asked to partner with the start-ups, by being the first client seeking solution for particular issues.

She hoped that the Centre will cater to the needs of youth in the region.

She thanked the mayor, deputy mayor and the deputy commissioner for identifying the place for the incubation centre.

DC Dr K G Jagadeesha said the work on the incubation centre would be completed within four months.

The minister said that complementary to the startups, innovation hubs have been planned in NITK and NMAM Institute Of Technology, Nitte, which will be established in association Niti Ayog, in the days to come. The innovation hubs will provide a platform for interaction.

Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje, Mayor Kavitha Sanil, Deputy Mayor Rajaneesh Kapikad and MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer were present.