The Government of Telangana has appointed Kavikrut as the new T-Hub CEO, reinforcing the state’s commitment to transforming Hyderabad into a global startup hub.
Kavikrut, an industry leader with 17 years of experience, including his tenure as Chief Growth Officer at OYO, will assume his role on March 10, 2025.
Telangana’s Vision for Startup Ecosystem Expansion
T-Hub is one of the world’s largest startup incubators, having supported over 2,000 startups. The T-Hub CEO appointment signals a renewed focus on scaling startups, fostering innovation, and enabling entrepreneurs to build world-class products from India.
Under Kavikrut’s leadership, T-Hub will focus on:
- Accelerating startup growth with advanced programs and funding support.
- Strengthening global market access for Indian startups.
- Enhancing corporate collaborations to drive innovation.
- Expanding Hyderabad’s influence as a major startup destination.
- Promoting deep-tech innovation in AI, fintech, and healthcare.
- Encouraging women-led startups to create a more diverse entrepreneurial landscape.
- Building investor confidence through structured capital access initiatives.
- Driving policy advocacy to create a more startup-friendly regulatory environment.
Who is Kavikrut? A Proven Leader in Scaling Businesses
Kavikrut brings a wealth of entrepreneurial and leadership experience to T-Hub. His notable achievements include:
- Driving OYO’s expansion into 100+ cities in India.
- Leading OYO’s international expansion into Japan in partnership with SoftBank and Yahoo! Japan.
- Founding a healthcare startup and working with Amazon and Piramal Group.
- Holding an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MSc in Finance from BITS Pilani.
- Leading the development of scalable business models and high-growth strategies.
- Mentoring early-stage startups and helping them secure funding.
- Establishing global partnerships for startup ecosystems in emerging markets.
Leaders Applaud Kavikrut’s Appointment as T-Hub CEO
Government and Industry Reactions
Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, ITE&C, Government of Telangana:
“Kavikrut’s passion for startups and global experience make him the ideal T-Hub CEO. His leadership will be pivotal in making India a powerhouse of entrepreneurship.”
BVR Mohan Reddy, Founder Chairman, Cyient & Founding Director, T-Hub:
“Kavikrut’s track record in scaling businesses will shape India’s next generation of startups. His leadership will drive T-Hub’s vision forward.”
Investor and Startup Community Response
Ravi Narayan, Former CEO of T-Hub:
“T-Hub has always been a leader in India’s startup ecosystem. Kavikrut’s appointment marks an exciting new phase for fostering innovation.”
Sanjay Nath, Managing Partner at Blume Ventures:
“Startups need strong mentors and strategic enablers. Kavikrut’s leadership will be instrumental in creating more unicorns from India.”
Kavikrut’s Vision as T-Hub CEO
Expressing his excitement, Kavikrut stated:
“Telangana’s startup ecosystem is inspiring. I look forward to building upon T-Hub’s incredible work, ensuring Hyderabad continues to produce startups that make a global impact.”
Core Focus Areas Under Kavikrut’s Leadership
- Startup Acceleration Programs: Providing mentorship, investment, and scale-up strategies.
- Global Collaborations: Building partnerships with Silicon Valley, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
- Funding & Investor Connections: Expanding capital access for startups through angel investors, VCs, and corporate partnerships.
- Policy Advocacy: Working with the government to create entrepreneur-friendly policies and incentives.
- Technology & Innovation Hubs: Establishing AI, biotech, and fintech-focused centers for high-tech startups.
- Bridging Industry & Startups: Strengthening collaboration between corporates and emerging companies for better market access.
- Developing a Talent Pipeline: Collaborating with universities to nurture young entrepreneurs.
- Infrastructure Development: Creating state-of-the-art workspaces and innovation labs for startups.
Future of T-Hub Under Kavikrut’s Leadership
With this T-Hub CEO appointment, the startup incubator is set to:
- Expand global partnerships with leading investors and corporations.
- Develop cutting-edge programs for early-stage and scaling startups.
- Foster deep-tech innovation across industries like AI, fintech, and health tech.
- Support women-led startups and promote diverse entrepreneurship.
- Enhance infrastructure to make Hyderabad a more startup-friendly city.
- Increase international collaboration to position Hyderabad as a global startup hub.
- Introduce policy-driven incentives to attract more startups and investments.
What This Means for Startups in India
- Increased funding opportunities for emerging startups through structured investor connections.
- More international market access for Indian companies looking to scale globally.
- Better mentorship programs through industry collaborations with top global tech leaders.
- Policy reforms that ease business operations and scale faster.
- Stronger infrastructure and dedicated startup zones to foster innovation.
The T-Hub CEO appointment of Kavikrut marks a milestone in Telangana’s startup ecosystem. With a strong leadership background, he is set to propel T-Hub and Hyderabad to new heights, reinforcing India’s position as a global startup powerhouse.
His strategic vision, global experience, and commitment to fostering entrepreneurship will ensure T-Hub remains at the forefront of India’s innovation-driven future.
