GES Begins Tomorrow, City To Be Pitched As Startup Capital

The prestigious Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2017) commencing in Hyderabad on Tuesday will not only help enhance the brand image of Hyderabad but also provide an opportunity for the young Telangana state to showcase and highlight its capability to be India's next startup capital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the three-day summit at HICC on Tuesday. The summit will be attended by 1,500 delegates from 45 countries. Ivanka Trump, daughter of and Advisor to President of the United States Donald Trump, who will be leading a large contingent of US delegates, will be the main attraction and the cynosure of all eyes at this summit.

It is undoubtedly a great honour for Hyderabad to be chosen as the venue for GES 2017, which will also coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Indo-US relationship. This is also the first time that the annual global summit is being held in South Asia and that too in India. Hyderabad has a strong presence of major US tech firms, a robust startup ecosystem, premier academic institutions, top-notch talent and supportive government policies in place. Besides, the city is also home to T-Hub, India's largest startup incubator. With all these qualifications, Hyderabad has the capability to turn the country's next startup capital.

This theme for GES 2017 is "Women First, Prosperity For All". The summit intends to inspire innovative initiatives, forge new collaborations across countries, and increase economic opportunities, particularly for women. The entrepreneurs in attendance will represent a diverse range of geographies, industries and business sizes. Investors and representatives from organizations that support entrepreneurs have been handpicked to catalyse investment, networking, mentoring and hands-on activities. There will be special emphasis on empowering young and women entrepreneurs. Ivanka Trump's presence at the summit is expected to enhance the focus on supporting women entrepreneurs.

After the inauguration and his address to the delegates at the summit, Prime Minister Modi will be leaving for Falaknuma Palace where he will be hosting a dinner for Trump and other foreign delegates attending the summit. He along with Ivanka Trump and 100 special dignitaries will be dining at the famous Nizam-era dining table where 101 guests can sit at a time. A separate dinner is being arranged for the 1,500 delegates on the lawns of the palace.

In view of GES 2017 and also due to the presence of Modi, Trump and other foreign delegates, the entire city, especially the Cyberabad and Old City areas, have been put under a security blanket. More than 10,000 police and security personnel have been deployed for security purposes. Trump is being provided with a five-tier security comprising of officers of the US Secret Service personnel, Special Protection Group, Grey Hounds and Octopus.

While the PM will leave on Tuesday night immediately after the dinner at Falaknuma Palace, Trump will leave on Wednesday evening after participating in and addressing two sessions at the summit.