The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) launched Mobile10X, a “capacity building and ecosystem enabling programme for mobile apps”, with Google India and mobile money firm Paytm as founding partners.

The aim is to set up five mobile start-up hubs with testing and design labs in the country in the next five years, with the first hub to launch in Bengaluru in October.

The initiative will also train 500,000 engineering students on Android and iOS, set up an online mentoring platform, and help developers connect with investors and the industry.

In a statement, IAMAI said the programme will cater to students as well as all kinds of developers including those who are “beginner/directionless, focused/serious and funded/established”.

According to IAMAI’s president, Subho Ray: “India is on the cusp of an apps revolution. With over 213 million mobile internet users, the growth trajectory for apps development is bound to be exponential.”

“IAMAI is of the view that the apps economy in India will drive the next level of internet growth,” he added.