HYDERABAD: The American Telugu Association (ATA) has facilitated a $20 million investment in Indian startups by organizing business seminars since 2014. According to the association, which is working to promote the Telugu community in the US, they have been conducting business seminars in Hyderabad once every two years.

These business seminars encouraged multiple companies to move into second tier cities; and start T-Hub in Khammam town, which was a big accomplishment made possible by Lax Chepuri, ATA co-chair for business. The business seminar held in Hyderabad in December focused on encouraging Telugu entrepreneurs with mentorship and funding. The meet was aimed at promoting the business environment in tier-II cities of Telangana. This is an initiative to encourage business ideas, mentor young entrepreneurs, provide a platform for venture capitalists, and startup companies. Nearly 100 mentors, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and technology experts based in the US and in India attended the seminar.

“This business seminar agenda was multifold, to increase networking and interaction between the US-based Telugu entrepreneurs and business owners based in Telangana; mentor and invest in start-up companies in India, especially those based in Telangana; and attract more companies into second tier cities like Khammam, Warangal, Nalgonda, Karimnagar, and Nizamabad,” said Kashi Kotha, the Business Committee Chair for ATA Vedukalu.

“Telugu entrepreneurs are gaining prominence across the US and around the world. This ATA business seminar is an effort to promote US-India partnerships and encourage entrepreneurs to invest in various districts across Telangana,” said Jayanth Challa, Conference Advisory Committee Chair, ATA.