Hyderabad: As part of the New Jersey-India Commission’s inaugural mission, the Commission, in conjunction with Choose New Jersey, on Dec 11,2024, facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), a subsidiary of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and T-Hub Foundation (T-Hub), India’s leading startup incubator. New Jersey is The World’s State™ — a global hub that draws immigrants and international businesses from around the world, and this collaboration aims to encourage innovation and support economic growth in New Jersey and the State of Telangana in India.
This new Memorandum of Understanding builds on a longstanding partnership between Choose New Jersey, T-Hub, and NJIT. The MOU was signed in the esteemed presence of the Honorable Minister for Information Technology, Electronics, and Communication, Industry and Commerce, Government of Telangana, Shri Duddilla Sridhar Babu, whose visionary leadership has been instrumental in positioning Telangana as a global hub for innovation and technology. In 2019, Choose New Jersey and T-Hub signed a tripartite agreement with VentureLink, the community hub for technology companies at NJIT, to advance startup innovation, funding, and entrepreneurship. This earlier collaboration laid the groundwork for the continued exchange of ideas and resources, further solidifying the relationship between New Jersey and India as global leaders in fostering technological advancements and economic growth.
"New Jersey is a remarkable example of how diversity drives innovation, with a thriving Indian-American community and one of the world's highest concentrations of Indian-origin professionals. This collaboration between NJII and T-Hub underscores the potential of bringing together the best of both worlds—Telangana’s proven expertise in driving transformative advancements in artificial intelligence, life sciences, and technology, and New Jersey’s robust academic and industrial ecosystems,” said, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, Industry & Commerce, Government of Telangana. “Telangana has consistently demonstrated leadership in building cutting-edge solutions and fostering global partnerships. Today’s collaboration is not just about innovation but about creating an enduring bridge of knowledge, technology, and opportunity between two regions committed to shaping the future of the global economy."
“This collaboration is a testament to the strength of our global partnerships,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way. “These two institutions, the New Jersey Innovation Institute, and the T-Hub Foundation work to uplift innovators. By working together, we are not only advancing innovation but also deepening the cultural and economic bonds between New Jersey and India.”
NJII, a nonprofit subsidiary of NJIT, leverages academic, public, and private resources to address market challenges through innovation and workforce development. T-Hub, based in Hyderabad, has created a robust ecosystem for entrepreneurship, focusing on startup incubation, acceleration, and market access.
“This agreement strengthens our ongoing efforts in critical industries such as artificial intelligence, life sciences, healthcare, and manufacturing,” said Wesley Mathews, President and CEO of Choose New Jersey and Chair of the New Jersey-India Commission. “India is one of New Jersey’s most vital international partners. Together, we are driving technological advancements that will benefit both regions.”
“At NJII, we are dedicated to creating ecosystems that spark innovation and economic growth,” said Dr. Michael Johnson, President of NJII. “Our partnership with T-Hub will unlock new opportunities for collaboration in emerging technologies, fostering long-term economic and community impact.”
Sujith Jagirdar, Interim CEO of T-Hub, said, “At T-Hub, we are committed to fostering global collaboration to empower startups and entrepreneurs. Our partnership with NJII builds on a shared vision to advance innovation in critical areas such as AI, healthcare, and manufacturing. By bridging ecosystems between India and New Jersey, we aim to unlock groundbreaking opportunities, drive economic growth, and enable startups to scale globally.”
