Atul Kriti
Startup Odisha, an initiative of the MSME Department, Government of Odisha is all set to celebrate the grand event Startup Utsavv 2024, which is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the state’s spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. The event, scheduled for January 31st, 2024, aims to be a spectacular event marked by awards, felicitations, and the signing of significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with industry leaders such as- ICAI, NIF, ISBA and NRDC.
The event also consists of “Ask Me Anything” Session, Session on Blockchain Ecosystem of India, Masterclass on Design Thinking, Masterclass on Role of Academic Institution & Incubators, Session on Innovation, Technology, and Intellectual Property Institutional Support for Entrepreneurship and S Success Stories by Startup of Odisha.
The event is likely to witness the presence of dignitaries such as Pratap Keshari Deb, Minister, Dept. of Industry, Energy, and MSME, Subroto Bagchi, Chief Advisor Govt. Odisha (Institutional Capacity Building), Pradeep Kumar Jena, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Odisha, Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman, Startup Odisha as well as Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary cum Development Commissioner, Govt. of Odisha and Saswata Mishra, Principal Secretary, MSME, Govt of Odisha. The dignitaries will address the audience and share insights on the state’s commitment to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Highlighting the achievements of the Incubator of the Year, Supportive Incubator of the Year, and Emerging Incubator of the Year, as well as commending successful incubators, stands as a pivotal focus of Startup Utsavv 2024. The celebration extends to acknowledging externally funded startups, recognizing top innovators from Odisha Startup Yatra and Odisha Startup Xpress, and rewarding the top ten innovators from each program.
Adding an exciting dimension to the already dynamic program, the event will witness the launch of Startup Yatra Booklets and Brochures. Additionally, it will shine a spotlight on student-led enterprises, women-led startups, and showcase the outstanding achievements of 122 Startup Odisha Grantees from 2022-23 and 51 Startup Odisha Grantees from 2023-24.
Moreover, the event will felicitate the top 50 innovators from both Startup Yatra and Xpress. Notably, both Startup Yatra -2023 and Startup Xpress -2023 were inaugurated by the Chief minister on September 11, 2023. Covering over 200 colleges and 60 schools, these initiatives garnered a total participation of over 36,535 students, surpassing the initial target of 25,000 students. The success of Startup Yatra and Xpress is underscored by the collection of over 4,436 ideas, far surpassing the target of 3,500 ideas. Van Camps and boot camps were conducted at colleges and schools across Odisha as part of Yatra and Xpress.
About Startup Odisha
Startup Odisha under the MSME Dept. Govt. of Odisha as the Nodal agency for building the startup and innovation ecosystem in the state, came into existence in 2016 with Odisha Startup Policy-2016. The vision is to introduce a holistic and inclusive ecosystem for the existing and aspiring startups. It also aims to establish itself as one of the top startup hubs in the country and enable the youth of Odisha to become Job-Creators and support the state in employment generation.
With the unique support system under the Odisha Startup Policy 2016, Startup Odisha has supported Women/SC/ST/PH/Transgenders-led startups/ entrepreneurs by providing them with financial grants, subsidized incubation and exposure in participating in various national and international events.
Since its inception, Startup Odisha has been home to the best entrepreneurial minds & has already supported and facilitated more than 1800+ Startups with more than 40% these being women-led. It houses the facilities and services ranging from a world-class infrastructure with state of an art facility called O-Hub to the best Incubation facility supported by a proactive team. The aim is to take a leap for registering a minimum of another 5000 startups with recognition by 2025.
Startup Odisha has been continuously revising its policy, always ensuring to have a responsive policy framework. It has been top performing Startup Hubs for three years in the country.
