The Government of Andhra Pradesh has taken the initiative to create a world-class technology innovation ecosystem in the state by setting up XLr8 Andhra Pradesh Technology Business Accelerator (XLr8AP) at Tirupati, a joint venture with the Innovation Society of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the IC² Institute of the University of Texas at Austin.

The purpose of this initiative is to create jobs and wealth in the Sunrise State, working with technology startups in advanced capacity building, acceleration into the global marketplace and mobilization of venture capital. The primary goal is to increase knowledge, wealth and employment in the State and beyond.

Aspiring, passionate innovators and startup may qualify for inclusion in this exciting and promising initiative. Please log onto our website, www.xlr8ap.com and apply online for the cohort.

Please register by clicking “New Applicant” on the homepage of our website or browse http://xlr8ap.com/Register.aspx. After registration, complete the application and submit online.

Each innovator may submit only one application per cohort. You may apply for a subsequent cohort with a different technology.

If you have a different technology, or have made substantive modifications to your first technology, you may re-apply. Re-application does not guarantee admission.

We are always looking to add to our family! It usually takes between 10-15 business days, and possibly a call with you, to make sure that we in agreement regarding expectations and milestones. Once qualified, you will be receiving an email welcoming you to the program.

Confidentiality is in our DNA. The information that you provide on your application will be shared exclusively amongst the XLr8AP team for the purpose of evaluation and determining candidates for eligibility.XLr8AP will never disclose any information to any third parties or people outside of XLr8AP, unless you ask us to do so.

Each cohort runs for four months. Applications are evaluated, 33 companies are chosen through a formal screening process and are trained and mentored. A least eight are selected to present their technologies to an Indo-American panel of judges. Four companies are selected for advanced acceleration. At that point, a new cohort is recruited and the cycle recurs.

Recruitment of startups is sector agnostic.Aspiring, passionate innovators and startups from any sector can apply for the program.

Each cohort runs for 4-months and we execute 3 cohorts per year. Registration dates and timings will be mentioned on the website and our social media pages. However, we encourage you to apply anytime, and as soon as possible, as space is limited to 33 companies per cohort.

The initiative is multi-faceted, including

• Advanced capacity-building
• Training
• Acceleration of tech companies into the global marketplace
• Mobilization of venture capital
• Access to the extensive global commercial development networks of both FICCI and the IC² Institute of the University of Texas at Austin

XLr8AP is located in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), the Port city and the Industrial center of Andhra Pradesh.

Detailed Address:

XLr8AP Technology Accelerator,
Sunrise Incubation Hub, Hill-3, IT SEZ
Madhurawada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

info@xlr8ap.com

It is not required to be in Tirupati for the entire 4-month period. However, presence is mandatory during the five expert workshops, each of three to five days in duration. This allows you to take advantage of the numerous learning, networking and coaching opportunities that will be provided. In addition, we often receive visits from world-renowned experts and governmental dignitaries, and you don’t want to miss the chance to get to know them!

Of course! In fact, many companies come to us for mentorship, guidance and access to our global know-how network, rather than for funding.

We will work with you to develop a solid value proposition and market access strategy, with specific milestones and objectives, all designed to determine market viability of your technology. We are firm believers in “SMART” objectives: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound. We will help you through this planning process, designed to help you in determining minimal viable product as well levels of collaboration with other entrepreneurs and a vast network of mentors.

When appropriate, and when you have proven your readiness, XLr8AP will help facilitate the contact between you and the investor community.

Absolutely yes, in fact we encourage you to directly interact with investors. If you are accepted to our program, we would like to be informed of those contacts; so that we can help you prepare to “pitch.”

You can email your questions to us at info@xlr8ap.com

If you are interested in any of our portfolio companies, click here.

Our services are free of charge, as is access to the experts that come to XLr8AP to work with you. The only thing that you have to arrange is your travel, food and accommodations while in Visakhapatnam.

During the program, you have access to the co-working space, as well at access to office infrastructure services. You have the opportunity to grow under the guidance and mentorship of industry leaders while our team of experts helps you with your business planning and market access strategies.

Unlike co-working, you don’t just get office space: you have at your disposal the expertise of our expert team, the guidance and mentorship of industry leaders, and the impact of our partner organizations, the Innovation Society of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, FICCI and the University of Texas at Austin.

Should you be selected for our program, you will need to begin the process of registering your company to do business in the State of Andhra Pradesh. You may also establish and register a branch or regional office of your company in any city in the State of Andhra Pradesh to meet this requirement, as long as your company is creating employment and revenue for the Sunrise State.

You will receive assistance with advanced commercialization, including drafting and implementing a business model specific to the results achieved during market assessment. You will work closely with APIS XLr8AP staff and mentors to address business opportunities and potentially receive introduction to global venture capital networks.