Startups need industry to tell them what problems to solve

The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an autonomous body under the ministry of electronics and IT, was initially set up to promote IT and IT-enabled services exports.

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Over time, its role has shifted significantly. Over the last three years, STPI has actively repositioned itself as a catalyst for startup growth, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Director general Arvind Kumar, in a conversation with Ayanti Bera, speaks about how the organisation is enabling deep-tech innovation, what startups need from industry, and how market access remains a critical hurdle for young ventures. Excerpts:

How has STPI's mandate evolved since its inception in 1991?

When we began, the focus was on addressing basic infrastructure gaps. We offered high-speed data connectivity, facilitated the import of computing hardware, and ensured smooth single-window clearances for software export units. Today, most of those bottlenecks have been resolved. Our primary continuing role in exports is software certification for units outside Special Economic Zones. The bigger shift has been our transition into building a startup ecosystem, especially for entrepreneurs located in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. That has become a major part of our work.

What prompted this pivot towards startups?