Bhubaneswar: In a major push to enhance Odisha’s startup ecosystem, Startup Odisha, under the aegis of the MSME Department, organised two landmark programmes—‘X-Change Programme’ and ‘Launchpad 2025: Incubator Induction & Capacity Building Programme’—at the Odisha Startup Incubation Centre, O-Hub, in Bhubaneswar. The event aimed to empower incubators, promote collaboration, and build institutional capacity to better support early-stage startups in the state.
The ‘X-Change Programme’ brought together Startup Odisha-recognised incubators on a common platform to facilitate knowledge sharing and ecosystem alignment. Designed as a collaborative initiative, the programme encouraged incubators to work together in building a more inclusive, resilient, and future-ready startup landscape in Odisha.
Simultaneously, nine newly recognised incubators were formally inducted into Startup Odisha’s growing network under the Launchpad 2025 programme. These include IIM Sambalpur I-Hub Foundation, Sambalpur University Startup Forum, OASME Council for Engineering and Technology, Dasari Vikash Rural Entrepreneurship and Innovation Foundation, Centurion Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Facilitation Centre, CVRCE Technology Incubator Foundation, Crucible Innovation Forum, NIST Incubation Foundation, and GITA Incubation Foundation. These institutions represent a diverse range of academic and innovation-driven hubs that will play a vital role in mentoring and supporting startups across the state.
Speaking at the event, Rajesh Kumar Adla, CEO of AIC T-Hub, and Kamaljit Das, OAS(S), Joint Secretary of the MSME Department, shared strategic insights on developing impactful incubation frameworks and the importance of cross-institutional collaboration to elevate the overall quality and reach of startup support systems.
The capacity-building programmes were designed to align incubators with Odisha’s startup policy framework and equip them with the tools necessary to foster scalable innovation. These efforts reflect the government’s commitment to nurturing a dynamic and growth-oriented startup ecosystem rooted in collaboration, mentorship, and strategic resource mobilization.
The leadership of Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary of the MSME Department and Chairman of Startup Odisha, has been instrumental in accelerating the growth of Odisha’s startup ecosystem.
Under his stewardship, Startup Odisha has expanded its national and global institutional linkages, strengthened policy implementation, and empowered early-stage entrepreneurs through structured incubation and funding support. Incubators participating in the programme expressed appreciation for the initiative, stating that such efforts are vital for building long-term capacity and fostering sustainable entrepreneurship in the state.
