Kalpataru CoE in Visakhapatnam - Launchpad for India’s Smart Industrial Future

As India accelerates its transition into a digitally empowered economy, Industry 4.0 technologies are redefining how traditional sectors operate. Spearheading this revolution in Andhra Pradesh is the Kalpataru Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) on Industry 4.0, set up by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in partnership with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (RINL-VSP), Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hindustan Shipyard Ltd., IIM Visakhapatnam, Andhra University, and others. Located within the premises of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Kalpataru CoE serves as a powerhouse for smart manufacturing innovation.

Industry 4.0 integrates digital technologies such as IoT, AI, cloud computing, robotics, and additive manufacturing into industrial processes to create intelligent, connected, and efficient systems. Kalpataru CoE provides a purpose-built ecosystem with advanced labs for Industrial IoT, AR/VR, robotics, drone tech, and 3D printing, backed by mentorship, seed funding and access to PSU-driven problem statements.

What sets Kalpataru apart is its mission-focused approach. Startups work on live challenges faced by PSUs like RINL and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), ranging from drone-based structural inspections of chimneys to AI-driven chute jam predictions and LIDAR-based inventory monitoring. In just a short span, the CoE has onboarded 44 startups, helped generate ₹4.75 crore in revenue, and facilitated the creation of market-ready products and prototypes.

Each incubated solution not only addresses critical industrial challenges but also demonstrates the scalability of Industry 4.0 applications in sectors like cleantech, defence, logistics, and mining. The CoE’s structured support—including seed funding, legal and IPR aid, cloud credits, and market access—ensures startups can focus on innovation and impact.

With 24 CoEs nationwide and over 1,400 startups nurtured, STPI’s initiatives like Kalpataru are laying the foundation for a new wave of industrial transformation. As India aspires to lead the global Industry 4.0 movement, Kalpataru stands as a vital bridge between legacy industries and the digital future.