Telangana launches India’s first culinary experiential tourism accelerator to empower rural and women entrepreneurs

Telangana is turning its culinary heritage into an engine of economic empowerment by launching India’s first Culinary Experiential Tourism Accelerator (TCETA), an initiative that will nurture rural entrepreneurs, especially women, and connect them to global investors, chefs and innovation networks. The accelerator positions food not only as a cultural asset, but also as a viable business opportunity with the capacity to create jobs, stimulate entrepreneurship and expand the tourism economy.

The accelerator was launched at We-Hub in Hyderabad on Wednesday, November 12. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the accelerator was also signed between the Telangana government and the Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade (NICCT). Applications for the program will open on December 4, 2025, and the first group will start in April 2026.

Telangana Tourism Special Secretary Jayesh Ranjan said the accelerator fits in with the state’s efforts to use tourism as a driver of economic opportunity. He explained that many culinary startups in Telangana are already supported by women and TCETA will provide them with structured pathways to scale. “Women are at the heart of this ecosystem. Many of these food entrepreneurs are women, and our goal is to support, showcase and scale their work,” she said.

Mr. Ranjan said Telangana’s approach to tourism has shifted from sightseeing to experiential travel. The province is identifying nine new clusters where culinary routes will be embedded in tourism master plans. “Tourists shouldn’t just see the places, they should also experience how people live and what they eat. Why shouldn’t they enjoy a meal cooked in someone’s home rather than just in a hotel dining room,” he said.

Gopi Byluppala, Founder of The Culinary Lounge, which runs the accelerator, said TCETA was designed to be inclusive. Unlike traditional accelerators, participants won’t have to navigate difficult documents or English-heavy forms. Rural entrepreneurs and home cooks will receive mentorship from food evangelists and industry experts, many of whom have voluntarily reinvested in Telangana’s culinary ecosystem.

Dutch experts from Wageningen University and Research, FoodValley NL and StartLife will collaborate with Telangana entrepreneurs in agricultural technology, food innovation and sustainability through a special “Dutch Track”. Edith Nordmann, President of the Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade (NICCT), said the partnership will unlock pilot projects ranging from sustainable agriculture and supply chain innovation to digital food tourism.

Valluru Kranthi, Director General of Telangana Tourism, said the accelerator strengthens the shift towards experiential tourism. “People know the cuisine. What we want to do now is tell the story behind the food,” he said.