Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Wednesday reviewed the state’s startup ecosystem and called for stronger government-industry coordination, wider adoption of emerging technologies and greater opportunities for young and tribal entrepreneurs.
The review meeting, held at Lok Seva Bhawan, discussed assistance being extended to startups and incubators, priority sectors, inter-departmental coordination and the future roadmap for strengthening the ecosystem.
Officials informed the meeting that 2,893 startups have so far been recognised under the Odisha Startup Policy-2016, along with 43 recognised incubators.
The state is prioritising sectors including agriculture and agri-tech, food processing, handloom and handicrafts, tourism and hospitality, electronics system design and manufacturing, semiconductors, IT and IT-enabled services, artificial intelligence, machine learning, precision engineering, green technology, cleantech, aerospace and drones, healthcare and med-tech and the blue economy.
A presentation was made on various forms of assistance available to startups and incubators, including monthly support, product development and marketing assistance, need-based aid, subsidised incubation and support for participation in national and international programmes. Additional assistance is available for startups led by women, transgender persons, ST, SC and SEBC communities and persons with disabilities.
Garg stressed the need to connect startups with government departments so that innovative products and technologies can be put to practical use while also opening up market opportunities. The meeting discussed appointing nodal officers in departments to improve coordination and facilitate greater participation of startups in achieving departmental targets under Vision Odisha.
Departments and agencies identified for closer collaboration with startups include Odisha Livelihoods Mission, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Mission Shakti, Higher Education, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Health and Family Welfare, ORMAS, School and Mass Education, Industry, Water Resources, Commerce and Transport, Skill Development, IDCO, Housing and Urban Development, Science and Technology, Tourism and Handloom and Handicrafts.
The meeting also stressed timely submission of data and certificates by departments for the Startup Recognition Evaluation Process for 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Particular emphasis was laid on expanding opportunities for tribal entrepreneurs. The state had signed an MoU with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on August 6 to strengthen tribal startups through budgetary support, advanced technology and AI programmes, startup infrastructure in districts and smaller towns, loans, assistance, employment and internships.
The meeting proposed awareness programmes across tribal districts and blocks, dedicated incubation facilities for tribal entrepreneurs and enhanced promotion and financial support for tribal-led startups. It also discussed bringing more higher education institutions into the startup ecosystem, encouraging grassroots-level startup registrations and establishing new incubators.
The MSME Department highlighted the need for adequate workspace, policy changes, infrastructure, international partnerships and enhancement of the Odisha Startup Fund. Possibilities for international cooperation in the startup sector with Japan’s Tottori Prefecture were also discussed.
Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, senior officials from the Electronics and Information Technology Department, MSME, Agriculture, Skill Development and Technical Education, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development and other departments attended the meeting. Senior officials of Startup Odisha and the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation were also present.
