Bhubaneswar: Utkarsh Odisha 2025 has brought new hope and opportunities for the state’s economic progress. The session titled Odisha: A Rising Star in India’s Startup Landscape marked a significant step in the state’s journey toward becoming a major hub for startups and entrepreneurship.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the chief guest, inspired attendees by emphasizing the need for a shift in mindset from “doing jobs” to “providing jobs.” Calling for robust investments in the startup sector, he highlighted how entrepreneurship could drive Odisha’s prosperity.
Joining the conversation, Fisheries and Livestock Development Minister Gokulanand Mallick expressed confidence in Odisha’s potential to bolster India’s economy through the MSME sector. He urged industrialists to maximize their investments in micro, small, and medium enterprises to harness the state’s economic capabilities.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj highlighted Odisha’s rich artistic and cultural heritage and encouraged investments in emerging sectors such as IT, food processing, tourism, and sports. Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra reiterated that Odisha’s startup ecosystem is flourishing due to abundant natural resources, skilled talent, and progressive government policies.
The event saw the signing of nine significant MoUs with notable entities which include HDFC Bank, Hero MotoCorp, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), The Circle Founders Club, Oplus India Research and Development Private Limited (OPPO), Merstra Foundation, Transition Venture Capital (TVC), ACIC GIET University, and the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management. These agreements aim to catalyze growth in diverse sectors such as finance, manufacturing, and technology.
A quarterly newsletter titled Odyssey of Startups and a coffee table book From Tradition to Innovation were unveiled during the event, chronicling Odisha’s entrepreneurial journey.
The session also featured a motivational address by Subhendra Kumar Behera, President of CII Eastern Region, who shared insights into his entrepreneurial success and encouraged further investments in the state.
