AP to rank incubators, strengthen startup ecosystem

Vijayawada: In a major push to build a robust innovation ecosystem and position Andhra Pradesh as a leading startup destination, the state govt has announced plans to introduce a formal recognition mechanism and a performance‑based ranking framework for incubators. The announcement came at the Andhra Pradesh Incubators Summit 2026, jointly organised by the AP Innovation Society (APIS) and the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub.The summit, themed “From Silos to Synergy – Strengthening the Incubation Ecosystem,” brought together incubators, accelerators, Centres of Excellence, academic institutions, industry leaders, investors, startups and government stakeholders to accelerate innovation‑led growth.APIS and RTIH CEO P Dhatri Reddy said the govt is committed to creating a vibrant environment for entrepreneurship through policy support, institutional partnerships and ecosystem‑building initiatives. She highlighted the Hub‑and‑Spoke model under the Innovation and Startup Policy 2024‑29, with the central hub in Amaravati and regional centres in Vijayawada, Tirupati, Anantapur, Rajahmundry and Visakhapatnam, ensuring statewide access to incubation, mentoring and business support.Reddy announced that the govt will roll out a structured recognition framework for incubators, enabling stronger collaboration and access to ecosystem programmes. In addition, an Incubator Evaluation and Performance Ranking Framework will benchmark centres on parameters such as startup support, innovation outcomes, ecosystem engagement, capacity building and overall impact. The initiative aims to raise service quality, promote accountability and encourage excellence across the state’s startup network.The summit featured expert sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities on innovation commercialisation, incubation best practices, and partnerships between academia, industry, and investors. APIS said the event marked a milestone in Andhra Pradesh’s efforts to create an integrated, high‑impact innovation ecosystem, attract investments and nurture the next generation of high‑growth startups.