ATA to host Startup Competition in Partnership with IIT Hyderabad and MeitY Startup Hub

Hyderabad, Telangana: The American Telugu Association (ATA) is hosting a startup competition in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and the Government of India’s MeitY Startup Hub. For the past ten years, ATA has been instrumental in supporting businesses, fostering entrepreneurship, and providing investment and mentorship to startup companies through various business seminars and competitions in both the US and India.

These competitions have led to millions of dollars in investments and mentoring for hundreds of businesses. As part of the ATA Vedukalu event in the Telugu states in December 2025, a startup competition will take place in Hyderabad, in partnership with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad and the Government of India, MeitY Startup Hub (MSH).

Numerous venture capital (VC) firms from the US and India, along with US business owners and technology and business professors, will participate in the competition. Startup companies interested in competing must submit an initial pitch deck that meets the specified criteria by December 6, 2025, to startups@ataworld.org. Ten startups will be shortlisted to present at the IIT Hyderabad campus on December 13.

A judging panel will select the top three companies to receive cash prizes and the opportunity to participate in a subsequent competition in the US. All ten shortlisted companies will also be eligible for funding and mentorship. For more information, visit https://americanteluguassociation.org/startup-competition.php

Director Prof. Murthy and Dean of Innovation Prof. Malla Reddy are coordinating the event on behalf of IIT Hyderabad. Dr. Panneerselvam (PS) Madanagopal, the CEO of the Government of India’s MeitY Startup Hub based in New Delhi, will deliver keynote remarks before the competition and will offer MSH resources to the finalist companies. ATA President Jayanth Challa, President-Elect Satish Reddy, Startup Chair Lax Chepuri, and others are leading this initiative on behalf of the ATA.