Pune: Capsula.Studio at Tel Aviv University (TAU) has entered a strategic partnership with Sudhir Mehta, CMD, Pinnacle Industries Ltd (commercial vehicles seating and interiors company) to establish a one-of-its-kind startup accelerator, Pinnacle Capsula.Studio in Pune.
Pinnacle Capsula.Studio in Pune is a not-for-profit entity which will allow novel ideas to rapidly gain market traction through Mentored Customer Validation under the able guidance of mentors. The facility will be located at BHAU Institute which is a part of the College of Engineering, Pune and home of an innovation incubator. The studio will also act as a bridge between Indian and Israeli entrepreneurs.
Mehta has said, “Incubators and accelerators continue to play an important role in the growth of the Indian start-up ecosystem. Pinnacle Capsula will mentor and foster such talent and ideas focused on IP creation and provide them with the right guidance, opportunities and approach.”
Pinnacle will provide the initial funding and endeavour to develop sustainable partnerships with prospective investors and value network firms. The initial focus of Pinnacle Capsula.Studio Pune is smart mobility, with additional domains to be added in the future including agriculture and food, health and medicine, education and other sectors which can bring in major economic and societal benefits to India and the world.
Ariel Sella, Managing Director of Capsula.Studio, said, “Pervasive data, computing and communication allow innovative entrepreneurs worldwide to deliver immense economic and societal gains.”
Prof Joseph Klafter, President of Tel Aviv University, welcomed this initiative as a ‘fitting way to commemorate 25 years of diplomatic ties and the decade anniversary of the acclaimed India-Israel Forum, TAU created with CII and Ananata Aspen’.
Pinnacle Capsula.Studio Pune will commence its first studio term in 2018, offering residency to select Smart Mobility startups with technology and/or business model innovations who are looking to make mobility at once more desirable, efficient and sustainable.