The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday announced the establishment of AP-FIRST (Andhra Pradesh-Future Innovation, Research, Science & Technology), a Section 8 company aimed at accelerating research, innovation, and technology commercialisation across the state.
According to a government order issued by Kantilal Dande, Principal Secretary of the Environment & Forests Department, AP-FIRST will spearhead innovation in key sectors, including aerospace and defence, space technologies, artificial intelligence and cyber security, semiconductors, quantum technologies, healthcare and biotechnology. The company will also focus on renewable energy, rural and agricultural technologies, and advanced materials.
"Government, after careful examination of the matter, hereby issues orders for the establishment of AP-FIRST (Andhra Pradesh-Future Innovation, Research, Science & Technology) as a company under Section 8 of the Companies Act," Dande said in the order.
The new company will leverage existing infrastructure and research capabilities available at institutions such as IIT Tirupati, IISER Tirupati, and state universities wherever feasible, reducing the need for significant new infrastructure investments.
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With an initial seed capital of Rs 5 crore, AP-FIRST will work towards converging with Central government initiatives, including the proposed Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund, while also striving to become financially self-sustaining through diversified funding sources.
Dande said the organisation will integrate research institutions, industry partners, startups, and government departments to build a collaborative innovation ecosystem. The initiative aims to consolidate research and innovation across multiple disciplines, with a strong emphasis on implementation-driven research to position Andhra Pradesh as a global innovation hub across sectors.
The principal secretary further noted that AP-FIRST will collaborate with both public and private research institutions to design targeted interventions and launch new schemes. It will also prepare a long-term strategic action plan in coordination with Government of India institutions and departments to strengthen the state's research and innovation landscape.
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