Representational imageHave an idea worth selling? Know how to put that into an app? Grab the chance to sell it for Rs 5 lakh to Kerala Government. News of what could be a windfall to mobile app developers comes as part of the government decision to source mobile applications from startups.
The state government had relied solely on the IT Mission and the National Informatics Centre for its technology needs till now. According to the revised decision, startups approved by the Kerala Startup Mission can develop mobile applications that assist in furthering m-governance in the state. The IT Mission has given its nod to government departments and agencies for buying two mobile applications per year from startups.
With the state’s burgeoning rates of mobile usage and penetration – the highest in the country – the IT Mission hopes that mobile applications will go a long way in making government services accessible to the public 24x7. The State IT Mission, the nodal agency for implementing m-governance in the state, has urged government departments and agencies to identify services that can be effectively rolled out as mobile apps before getting an app developer to sign up.
The IT Mission will screen models developed by startups on the basis of requirements specified by government bodies. Once approved, the startup can work on developing a full-fledged version with a funding Rs 50,000 and technological assistance from the IT Mission. On submitting the fully-functional app, the startup will receive Rs 2.5 lakh. The rest of the amount will be released in two phases – Rs 1.5 lakh when the application is made available to the public and Rs 50,000 at the end of the six-month warranty period.
The IT Mission has also approved the buying of any app that is already available with a startup and which suits the requirements of a government body. Looks like its get, set, sell for app developers.
Read: Latest Business news | Here's why Android Oreo is better than Nougat
