The Hindu Business Line : KEC biz incubator attracting more talent

THOUGH located in one of the interior pockets of Tamil Nadu, the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) at Kongu Engineering College (KEC) at Perundurai in Erode is attracting a lot of talent.

TBI has, within 6 months of its existence, started to house five start-up units. ``We are expecting a couple of others to avail the facility offered by TBI very soon,'' Mr A.T. Sambandam, Senior Manager of the TBI project, told Business Line.

Established on a total outlay of Rs 4 crore with the support and grant-in-aid from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, TBI at KEC is spread over 20,000 square feet area, with a capacity to house 30 incubator projects.

The incubator aims to nurture start-ups in embedded systems, digital signal processing and electronic card design assembly including testing and repair. The modern infrastructure and technical guidance from the KEC staff would, according to Mr Sambandam, go a long way in converting innovative ideas of products and services into reality.

``We are already seeing it. At least two of the five units have developed prototype products, which are being assessed now. One of these units has an export enquiry for execution,'' he added.

The presence of Karur Vysya Bank on the board of KEC has facilitated a tie-up with this bank for financial assistance for the start-up units should a need arise. The KEC board is in talks with other financial institutions and venture capitalists for extension of financial assistance to the entrepreneurs.

The entrepreneurs though would not have to invest much on infrastructural support, which includes computers, latest hardware and software tools, communication facility with Internet access, back up support etc., apart from technical and legal advice, marketing support and assistance in IPR related issues. ``They will have to bear a service charge and nothing more,'' Mr Sambandam said.