Oppo India signs pact with Andhra body to push startups

Oppo India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society (APIS), the state nodal agency for promoting growth of the entrepreneurship ecosystem, to support deep tech startups.

The MoU, signed by Oppo India R&D Head, Tasleem Arif and Anil Kumar Tentu, CEO, APIS, aims to accelerate the overall innovation culture in the country and mentor startups that have the potential to bring the next big technological change in the industry.

Oppo plans to connect with startups through a series of programs such as setting up labs and offering professional support in research and mentorship. The company will also organise hackathons, workshops, and other innovation challenges.

"OPPO and APIS share a common DNA for fostering a culture of innovation by focusing on the growth of Entrepreneurship and Startup ecosystems. Through this program, we hope to help startups truly scale the impact of technology and empower the next generation of innovators to bring their ideas to life by leveraging the combined resources of both organizations," Arif said in a statement.

The smartphone brand, currently the fifth largest in India, as per market analysts, already has similar collaboration with the governments of Kerala and Telengana to boost the startup ecosystem in both states.

The company also has the Oppo Elevate Program which empowers several startups to build innovative solutions leveraging state-of-the-art equipment, global mentorship, and access to the company's rich network of partners to help startups drive and fast track their way to reach customers.