Apple CEO Tim Cook made his maiden visit to India last week, travelling through the country and weighing in options for investment. The IT giant launched an ambitious plan to tap into the startup ecosystem and announced plans to set up what it called a "design and development" startup accelerator in Bengaluru.
Cook said the new facility would help iOS developers create innovative apps for the company's customers globally and that it would provide resources to support entrepreneurs. "India is home to one of the most vibrant and entrepreneurial iOS development communities in the world. With the opening of this new facility in Bengaluru, we're giving developers access to tools which will help them create innovative apps for customers around the world." The iOS App Design and Development Accelerator is expected to open in early 2017. Apple’s team will work to instruct and encourage iOS developers on best practices, help them hone their skills and transform the design, quality and performance of their apps on the iOS platform.
The company also announced the opening of a new office in Hyderabad that will focus on development of its Maps product. The Apple head's tour concluded with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi where the two discussed the "possibilities of manufacturing" and tapping into the pool of young talent in the country. An official statement released said, "Cook shared Apple Inc's future plans for India. He spoke of the possibilities of manufacturing and retailing in India. He appreciated the breadth of young talent in India and said the youth have significant skills which Apple would like to tap."
