A Malayali entrepreneur, Sabeer Nelli, who has established his business in the United States, is on a mission to give back to his homeland by fostering a startup ecosystem in Kerala’s Malappuram district. As the founder and CEO of US-based ZilBank, he has unveiled a startup accelerator program backed by $1 million in funding. His vision is to transform Manjeri, a town with limited IT involvement, into a thriving startup hub and set an example for the entire state.
Sabeer’s commitment to societal contribution is evident through the establishment of his bank’s global development center in Manjeri, currently employing around 100 individuals and with plans to hire 1,000 more in the coming years. The startup accelerator program’s primary objective is to support aspiring entrepreneurs by offering essential guidance and infrastructure support.
Taking his dream one step further, Sabeer is organizing a two-day hackathon in Malappuram on November 1 and 2 to select promising startups for incubation at his center. Selected startups will receive Rs 1 crore each in funding in exchange for a small equity stake. These emerging companies will benefit from necessary infrastructure facilities and expert mentorship.
Sabeer is already receiving inquiries from educational institutions interested in orientation programs at his Manjeri campus, which boasts a 30,000 sq ft facility with a 500-seat capacity. By employing 150 people in the center, he is laying the foundation for a thriving ecosystem. In the next phase, he plans to launch a 100-acre campus in Kerala, consolidating all projects under one roof. Additionally, he aims to provide academic training and industry exposure to students, equipping them with essential skills and ideas. One of his primary goals is to inspire the establishment of IT ecosystems in remote areas by serving as a role model.
Sabeer faced discouragement when he decided to move his global development center to Manjeri. Despite suggestions to consider Bengaluru or Kochi instead, he remained steadfast in his commitment to his hometown.
Sabeer, renowned for his involvement in Texas-based Tyler Petroleum and the B2B payments platform OnlineCheckWriter.com, is set to make a significant impact with the startup accelerator program and venture capital fund, expected to enhance job creation and transform the IT landscape of Malabar.
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