American multinational storage and data management company, NetApp has launched its Global Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, with an investment of more than $146 Mn (INR 1,000 Cr). The centre was inaugurated by Siddaramaiah, Karnataka’s Chief Minister, along with the State Industries Minister R V Deshapande.
Commenting on the launch, George Kurian, CEO, NetApp said, “The centre will enable NetApp to handle increasingly multidisciplinary and collaborative work which will enable the free flow and cross-pollination of ideas.”
Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, NetApp started its India operations in 2000 and the R&D (Research and Development) centre in 2003. This new facility will also house the company’s first startup accelerator programme – Escape Velocity that aims to help in nurturing technology startups. The new campus is spread over 15 acres, has around 2,000 employees and can accommodate 3,300 people in total.
George believes that innovation coming through the Bengaluru centre will help customers around the world to get ahead of the competition.
Elaborating on the startup accelerator programme, George said the company looks to bring its expertise and infrastructure to enable a range of storage and data management capabilities through the startup ecosystem here in India.
He further added that NetApp will soon recruit startups for the Escape Velocity Programme and has a game plan to fund them.
(This development was reported by Deccan Herald.)
