Odisha's Innovation Shines Bright at Expand North Star 2023: 27 Startups Make Their Mark with Startup Odisha at the Helm

Odisha Pavillion

Expand North Star, the world's premier startup extravaganza, made a resounding debut at Dubai Harbour with its most extensive edition to date. Over 1,800 startups hailing from 100 different countries converged to connect, seek funding, and exchange experiences with their global counterparts. As a dynamic parallel event to the monumental GITEX Global, this gathering has firmly established itself as the epicentre of innovation within the thriving tech ecosystem.

A remarkable contingent of 27 startups from Odisha, spanning across diverse sectors such as Healthtech, Legaltech, Edutech, RetailTech, Transportation, and Artificial Intelligence, took centre stage. These innovative companies include — Qualysec Technologies, Credore, TransportSimple, MedTel Healthcare, IG Drones, Legodesk, Happiness Under Budget, Confluex Marketing, Twinverse Technology, KAPSSN, Saahaaz, Ambula, Dar Hub, Zeon AI, Smaket, Publiconn, Booking Jini, Todoskills.co, Indian Automobile Doctor, Clino health, Larkai Healthcare, Stembook, Fydo, K One Ventures, EzeRx Health, Agile ICO, Binimise Labs and Fooliyoo Technologies.

These startups are not only revolutionizing their respective industries but are also shining a spotlight on the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem of Odisha.

Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha, stated, "Expand North Star 2023 is a testament to the remarkable progress and potential of startups in Odisha. These 27 startups, representing various sectors, have demonstrated exceptional innovation, and are positioned to lead the global tech landscape. Startup Odisha is proud to lead this delegation and showcase Odisha's capabilities on the international stage."

Panel Discussion - Dr Omkar Tai (Chairman – Startup Odisha) 

Dr. Omkar Rai played a prominent role at Expand North Star by participating in a panel discussion titled "Indian Incubators Spark the Next Wave of Unicorns." This enlightening discussion was skilfully moderated by Feroz Sanaulla, Partner at Arthur D Little, and it revolved around the pivotal role that incubators play in the startup ecosystem.

The panel shed light on the critical functions of incubators in guiding startups towards developing market-fit products. They also emphasized the importance of equipping emerging entrepreneurs with the necessary commercial knowledge to thrive in today's competitive business landscape. Dr. Rai and the other panellists shared insights, experiences, and best practices, offering a roadmap for the next generation of unicorn startups. The engaging dialogue not only showcased the contributions of Indian incubators but also provided valuable guidance for startup ecosystems worldwide.

Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, the Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, Government of India, joined Dr. Omkar Rai during his interaction with Odisha-based startups. He shared valuable insights and expressed his appreciation.

Two Odisha-based startups, Happiness Under Budget Pvt Ltd, a rural-focused B2B distribution platform for retailers, SMEs, and skilled professionals and Darubrahma Automation Robotics Private Limited, specializing in advanced AI drones for the agriculture sector have been shortlisted in the highly competitive Supernova Challenge. This esteemed pitch competition is designed for entrepreneurs with groundbreaking innovations, and this year, they have the opportunity to vie for $200,000 in cash prizes.

The presence and accomplishments of these 27 Odisha startups at Expand North Star 2023 exemplify the state's commitment to nurturing innovation and fostering a dynamic startup ecosystem. As they engage with the global tech community in Dubai, they are well-positioned to showcase Odisha's potential as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Startup Odisha Empowers Incubators to Strengthen the State's Startup Ecosystem

Startup Odisha conducted a two-day capacity-building session for existing and aspiring incubators.

The event featured a distinguished lineup of speakers and thought leaders.

Startup Odisha, an initiative of the MSME Department of the Government of Odisha has conducted a two-day capacity-building session for existing and aspiring incubators in its continuous effort to foster entrepreneurship and innovation. The event aimed to facilitate discussions on best practices, underscore the pivotal role of incubators in the startup ecosystem, and advance the vision of establishing a minimum of one incubator in each of Odisha's 30 districts.

With 27 incubators currently under its umbrella, Startup Odisha is committed to nurturing a thriving startup ecosystem in the state. The capacity-building session featured prominent speakers and thought leaders who shared insights into various aspects of incubation and its vital role in supporting startups. Notable speakers included Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha, who delivered an inspiring keynote address, highlighting the significant strides made by Startup Odisha in promoting entrepreneurship in the state. Mr. Uday Wankawala, CEO of AIC-RMP, discussed the incubation ecosystem's pivotal role in nurturing and scaling startups, while representatives from the Startup India Team provided insights into government initiatives supporting the incubation ecosystem.

Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha, said, “This capacity-building session has been instrumental in providing a vital platform for incubators to not only share their invaluable experiences but also to glean insights from industry experts. It has fostered discussions on strategies aimed at fortifying Odisha's startup ecosystem. Such collaborative efforts are pivotal in nurturing the innovation-driven growth of startups in our state."

The session also featured successful startup founders, Abhishek Gautam of Ambula Technologies, Sriman Rabishankar Dash of GauravGo Games, and Paritosh Anand of Vatsalya Wellness, who shared their experiences, showcasing the vital role played by incubators in their entrepreneurial journeys. Mr. Chintan Bakshi, Partner at CIIE-IIM Ahmedabad, emphasized the importance of industry-academia collaboration for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and Mr. S. Santhosh, Head of Operations at Crescent Innovation and Incubation Council, provided insights into leveraging educational institutions' resources to promote innovation.

As Odisha marches towards its mission of 5000 Startups by 2025, Startup Odisha remains committed to its mission of fostering innovation, supporting startups, and driving economic growth in the state. The success of this capacity-building session marks another milestone in its journey towards realizing this vision.

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, 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 1700+ Startups, with 600+ startups led by women directors, founders and co-founders. 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 evolving in its Policy measures, always ensuring to have a responsive policy framework. We have been the top performing Startup Hubs for three consecutive years in the country.

Startup Odisha Launches ₹100 Crore Odisha Startup Growth Fund (Fund of Funds) With SIDBI As Fund Manager

Startup Odisha and SIDBI sign MOU to manage 100 Crore Odisha Startup Growth Fund (OSGF)

Aimed at transforming the state into a startup destination by creating a conducive environment for startups to flourish

Startup Odisha, an initiative of the MSME Department of the Government of Odisha has today launched a one-of-its-kind ₹100 Crore Odisha Startup Growth Fund (Fund of Funds) with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) as the fund manager. This fund is truly unique due to its perpetual nature. When the initial corpus of ₹100 Crore gets exhausted, the state government would consistently replenish the fund, ensuring continuous, long-term support for startups.

SIDBI will serve as the fund manager for the Odisha Startup Growth Fund (Fund of Funds), responsible for shaping its investment strategy and managing its portfolio. Established by the Government of Odisha as part of its Fund of Funds initiative, the OSGF is dedicated to investing Rs. 100 Crores over five years through Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) in Odisha-based startups. This collaboration is set to play a crucial role in bolstering the MSME sector, which contributes 33% to India's GDP and generates over 120 million jobs.

Smt. Anu Garg, IAS Development Commissioner cum Additional Chief Secretary, said, “Our endeavour through the launch of Odisha Startup Growth Fund is to make Odisha the preferred destination for entrepreneurs. Odisha is at the cusp of transformational change and the Government of Odisha aims to extend its support to initiatives like this that help the citizens of this state to grow. Together, we are paving the way for innovation to flourish, startups to thrive, and the MSME ecosystem to grow even stronger. In this dynamic environment, Startup Odisha is adding to the inclusiveness of the Odisha growth story.”

Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman, Startup Odisha, said, "The Launch of Odisha Startup Growth Fund marks a pivotal moment in our mission to foster a vibrant startup ecosystem in Odisha. We are dedicated to providing our state's startups with the essential financial backing required for their growth. This fund symbolizes our unwavering commitment to nurturing innovation, catalysing job creation, and propelling our startups to succeed both at the national and global levels. We are crafting a future where Odisha would be recognized as a beacon of entrepreneurial excellence.”

Shri S. Ramann, Chairman & Managing Director, SIDBI said, "We are extremely glad to be working with Startup Odisha and support the growth of Odisha's startup ecosystem. Through financial support and guidance, we will empower startups to thrive as well as make significant contributions to Odisha's economic landscape. This partnership will add another layer to our efforts, setting the stage for the state to become a startup funding hotspot in the next 5-10 years. SIDBI is aiming to continue to act as a catalyst to mobilise domestic capital for country’s startup ecosystem.”

Shri Saswat Mishra, IAS, Principal Secretary, MSME Department, said, “The launch of Odisha Startup Growth Fund will support the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state. We are committed to financially enable startups in Odisha with conducive policies and funds. Startup Odisha along with SIDBI will be working towards disbursing the funds to high-potential startups.”

Odisha Startup Growth Fund (OSGF) operates as a Fund-of-Funds Vehicle, designed to offer co-investment assistance along with a centralized tracking and implementation mechanism. The predominant financial instruments utilized by OSGF prioritize equity or quasi-equity investments, reflecting its commitment to nurturing long-term growth and sustainability within the startup ecosystem.

Odisha boasts a flourishing startup landscape, home to over 1700+ dynamic startups, including 600+ women-led enterprises. This thriving ecosystem is supported by 15 nodal agencies, 27 incubators, and a centralized incubator ‘O-Hub’ that provides an impressive 4 lakh sqft of incubation space.

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, 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 1700+ Startups, with 600+ startups led by women directors, founders and co-founders. 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 evolving in its Policy measures, always ensuring to have a responsive policy framework. We have been the top performing Startup Hubs for three consecutive years in the country.

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Startup Odisha's Flagship Initiatives Startup Yatra and Startup Xpress 2023 Begins

Startup Odisha's Flagship Initiatives Startup Yatra and Startup Xpress 2023 Are Set to Revolutionize State's Entrepreneurial Landscape

• Aims To Nurture Innovation, Foster Entrepreneurship, And Scout Ideas from both school and college students and innovators across Odisha
• Odisha’s Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Will Inaugurate Odisha Startup Yatra and Startup Xpress 2023, reinforcing Odisha's vision of fostering 5000 startups by 2025

Startup Odisha, an initiative of the MSME Department, Government of Odisha has today announced the launch of Odisha Startup Yatra and Starup Express 2023, the newest edition of its flagship initiatives. The initiatives will be flagged off by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik on 11th September. With a core focus on guiding and empowering young minds at the grassroot level in the realms of innovation and entrepreneurship, the initiatives seek to equip them for harnessing the ample opportunities within the startup ecosystem.

Through a series of engaging initiatives, including both Van Camps and Boot Camps for scouting innovative ideas, Startup Odisha will engage with educational institutions across the 30 districts in Odisha, involving 200+ colleges and 60+ schools thus impacting 25,000+ students. As part of these initiatives’ Startup Odisha will conduct 200+ van camps across colleges along with 60 van camps in various schools followed with more than 120 bootcamps generating over 3500+ ideas.

The past edition of Startup Odisha Yatra showcased remarkable achievements: spanning 30 districts, conducting 30 Bootcamps, hosting 114 Van camps, engaging 100+ colleges, which witnessed 1350 ideas and 10,270 students amongst which 22 top ideas were selected for the acceleration program culminating in the demo day where 11 finalists were awarded INR 1 lakh each.

The upcoming edition of the Startup Yatra aims to further take this endeavour to greater heights where atleast 50 shortlisted ideas will be invited for a 3-day Acceleration programme. Thereafter, top 25 Ideas will be invited to O-Hub for the demo day out of which 10 will be awarded seed funding worth INR 3,00,000 each to develop their ideas into viable startup ventures. A dedicated Mobile Application has been developed to collect the innovative ideas from the young innovators.

Additionally, top 20 ideas from Startup Xpress 2023 will be invited for final pitching out of which 10 ideas will be awarded with cash prize of INR 10,000 each to encourage these young students and build their entrepreneurial spirit.

Commenting on the importance of Startup Yatra 2023, Industries, MSME and Energy Minister, Shri Pratap Keshari Deb said, "As Odisha marches towards its mission of 5000 Startups by 2025, Odisha Startup Yatra and Startup Xpress 2023 will be pivotal in bringing innovative ideas to the forefront. With a track record of nurturing innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and providing robust support to women entrepreneurs, these initiatives stand as a transformative experience, poised to accelerate the startup ecosystem's growth and success in the state.”

Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha said, “Odisha Startup Yatra and Startup Xpress 2023 marks a significant leap for Odisha's startup ecosystem. With 1700+ startups, including 42% led by women, and supported by 27 incubators, Odisha thrives as an entrepreneurial hub. These initiatives will empower students by offering insights, idea pitching, and a pathway to the acceleration program. We aspire for this journey to enhance entrepreneurship, catalyse innovative breakthroughs, and unify the state on its path to becoming a transformative ideas hub.”

Mr. Saswat Mishra, Principal Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha said, “Odisha Startup Yatra and Startup Xpress 2023 represents a pivotal moment for Odisha's burgeoning startup landscape. It is set to empower our students, providing them with valuable insights, opportunities to pitch their ideas, and a clear pathway to help them build successful startups. the enthusiasm and eagerness of our youth to bring new ideas to life will exemplify the transformative power of entrepreneurship.”

The Odisha startup Yatra and Startup Xpress journey culminates with a grand finale in Bhubaneswar, where students can showcase their ideas and be awarded with cash prizes along with mentorship opportunities and legal guidance from Startup Odisha.

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, 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 1700+ Startups, with 600+ startups led by women directors, founders and co-founders. 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 evolving in its Policy measures, always ensuring to have a responsive policy framework. We have been the top performing Startup Hubs for three consecutive years in the country.

Overview of Startup Odisha Ecosystem

• 1700+ Recognised Startups
• 600+ Women Lead Startups
• 4 Lakh Sq. Ft O-Hub Incubation Centre for Startups
• 27 Incubators
• 15 Nodal Agencies
• 200+ Mentors
• 75+ E Cells
• 15 R&D Centres
• 15,000+ Jobs Generated
• 350.42 Crore Revenue Generated by Startups in FY: 2021 - 22
• 100 Crore Odisha Startup Growth Fund for Startups
• 21 Crore monetary benefits sanctioned to startups
• 357 Crore external investment raised by startups

Startup Odisha Empowers Entrepreneurs with Successful Pre-Incubation Program and Strategic Partnerships with Technolplat Ltd, Wadhwani Foundation, and Her Money Talks

Startup-Odisha, an initiative of the MSME Department of the Government of Odisha, is thrilled to announce the successful completion of its first cohort of the pre-incubation program. With an impressive registration count of 62 aspiring entrepreneurs, the program saw 23 participants successfully complete the rigorous training and mentorship curriculum. Among them, 9 talented individuals showcased their innovative ideas, and 3 exceptional startups have been selected to receive comprehensive support from Startup Odisha to propel them to the next level.

The pre-incubation program, initiated by Start-up Odisha , aimed to empower and equip emerging entrepreneurs with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to transform their ideas into successful ventures. The overwhelming response received during the registration phase is a testament to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and potential that exists in the state.

In another exciting development, Startup Odisha is also proud to announce strategic partnerships with Technolplat Ltd, Wadhwani Foundation, and Her Money Talks. These partnerships are poised to further strengthen the startup ecosystem in Odisha, bringing in valuable expertise, global networks, and access to capital.

Dr. Omkar Rai, the Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaborations, stating, "We are delighted to join forces with Technolplat Ltd, Wadhwani Foundation, and Her Money Talks. These partnerships will foster an environment of innovation and provide invaluable support to our budding entrepreneurs. Through collective efforts, we aim to unlock the full potential of the startup ecosystem in Odisha, driving economic growth and creating opportunities for our talented youth."

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today between Startup Odisha and these esteemed partners marks a significant milestone in the journey towards building a robust and dynamic startup ecosystem. The collaborations will facilitate knowledge exchange, mentorship programs, access to funding opportunities, and international exposure for the selected startups.

With a vision to nurture and empower the startup community, Startup Odisha along with Technolplat Ltd, Wadhwani Foundation, and Her Money Talks, is committed to driving innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating an enabling environment for startups to thrive in Odisha.

About Start-up Odisha: Startup Odisha, an initiative of the MSME Department, Govt of Odisha to promote Ideas/Innovations/Startups of budding entrepreneurs in the state. It is also working towards innovation, development and improvement of products, process and services. In addition, Startup Odisha also working towards the scaling-up of ideas towards a sustainable business model with a high potential of employment generation and wealth creation in the state. With an ever-evolving ecosystem, Start-up Odisha works with a wide range of 1600+ registered startups out of which 600+ are led by women.

Startup Odisha to Feature on CII’s Corporate-Startup Connect Platform CII ICONN

Startup Odisha to leverage strong corporate connection for Odisha startups and help them in scaling their businesses and reach new markets: Dr. Omkar Rai

In an effort to provide startups in Odisha with a strong corporate connection, Startup Odisha has reached an agreement with the Confederation of Indian Industry - Centre of Excellence for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Startups (CII- CIES) whereby Startup Odisha will feature on CII ICONN Platform, a one of its kind, industry led platform for the startup ecosystem to catalyse collaboration between corporates, startups and other key players of the startup ecosystem. This arrangement allows Odisha Startups to showcase their leading innovations to Industry leaders, foster collaboration with Corporates, and work in close consonance with other stakeholders of the Startup Ecosystem and fast track their growth to a global scale.

A Letter of Intent (LoI)  shared between Startup Odisha Executive Chairman Dr. Omkar Rai and Chairman CII-CIES Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan

A Letter of Intent (LoI) to this effect was shared between Startup Odisha Executive Chairman Dr. Omkar Rai and Chairman CII-CIES Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan at CII Startup Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday. CII ICONN platform will provide Startup Odisha with a pavilion for Startups from O-Hub (the Incubation Centre), help it organize exclusive sessions to promote services offered by Startup Odisha, organize startup pitch presentation sessions, have discussion sessions for startups, and enable participation in Corporate Accelerator Programs etc.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the CII Startup Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday, Startup Odisha Executive Chairman Dr. Omkar Rai said that Startup Odisha is trying to bring excellence, inculcate best practices, and give wide exposure to the Startup ecosystem in Odisha to make it dynamic and vibrant. “Our startup Policy is best-in-class and is currently under revision, we are making it more futuristic so that we can meet the emerging challenges and needs, and the startup ecosystem of Odisha is able to position itself among the top three startup ecosystems in the country by 2025 as envisioned by Hon’ble CM of Odisha Shri Naveen Patnaik Ji,” said Dr. Omkar Rai.

He further emphasized the importance of having a strong rural innovation ecosystem and Startup ecosystem in tier-II & tier-III cities, one that is well-connected with corporates and unicorns.

Present on the occasion were Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics & Technology; Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman CII CIES & co-founder Infosys; Ms. Aastha Grover, Head, Startup India; Ms. Anu Sriram, Chairperson, CII Women in Innovation Steering Committee; Mr. CK Ranganathan, Chairman, CII Startupreneur Awards 2022 and Chairman and Managing Director CavinKare Pvt Ltd; Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission; and other dignitaries.

Startup Odisha has over 1600 startups from across various sectors registered with it and out of which over 40 percent are women-led.

Working on the vision of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik on a mission mode, Startup Odisha is pulling all stops to make its place among the top three startup ecosystems in the country by 2025 and be a 5000+ strong startup ecosystem by then.

Of late, several key initiatives undertaken by Startup Odisha are spurring the culture of startup, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the State and are futuristic. The one that deserves special mention is the proposed setting up of a Draper Startup House in Odisha. Bitcoin billionaire investor Tim Draper, known for his early bets in breakthrough tech companies also backs startups in a big way. ‘Draper Startup House’ supports startup entrepreneurs across the world, with a vision and mission to one million entrepreneurs by 2030.

Also, Startup Odisha has engaged with SIDBI and would be utilizing its expertise and resources to provide a fillip to the startup ecosystem in Odisha and have a resilient management apparatus with financial management as one of the facets. Startup Odisha would work in tandem with SIDBI to foster growth verticals for the startup ecosystem in Odisha.

Also, the proposed Centre of Excellence (CoEs) at O-Hub, the Incubation space that sprawls over 4 lakh square feet would propel the growth of startups, including the new-age ones, and promotes innovation with best-in-class facilities at par with global standards. It is also pertinent to mention about Fund-of-Funds or Odisha Startup Growth Fund that Startup Odisha banks upon for fostering the growth of startups in the state. The corpus has been growing exorbitantly since its inception which shows the increasing trust of investors in the potential and scalability of startups in Odisha.

Startup Odisha Ecosystem Mixer : Bring All Stakeholders Together: Dr. Omkar Rai

From the left (Abhilash Chakraverty, Co Founder Larkai Healthcare; Amit Singhal, Founder Real Time Angel; Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman, Startup Odisha Pritam Dhalla, Founder, Larkai Healthcare)

• Bring all stakeholders together to grow the start-up ecosystem of the State: Dr. Omkar Rai
• AI, Block Chain and New immersive technologies to drive the start ecosystem in the future
• To become a big company should be the end goal of every start-up

As part of the ongoing Make in Odisha Conclave 2022, Startup Odisha organised ‘Startup Odisha Ecosystem Mixer’, a platform that brought together academia, investors, unicorns and government to deliberate on the future of the start-up ecosystem in the state and the opportunities that the future held. The event held at O-Hub provided an opportunity for early-stage start-ups to interact with successful young start-up founders, venture capitalists and experienced professors. The day comprised two sessions namely, ‘Blooming era of start-ups – Looking into the future’ and ‘AMA on raising my first cheque.’

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman, Startup Odisha said, “E-Commerce platform will continue to lead the creation of wealth in the start-up ecosystem, in time to come, we will see the enhanced use of artificial intelligence, block chain, immersive technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality, AVGC, electric connected and autonomous vehicles driving the start-up ecosystem. In our efforts to reach out to youngsters and transform them from ideators to start-ups, we have strived to create sensitization at the grass roots level to create a culture of ideation. Every school and college require to be equipped with tinkering labs and centers of excellence if they are to become entrepreneurs and create products. Our aim is to increase per capita income by helping start-ups in every sector at every level of the value chain. The need of the hour is to bring all stakeholders together to encourage, sustain and grow the start-up ecosystem in the state. We want to position Odisha as a promising destination for start-ups with a lot of potential. Odisha has excellent technology and educational institutions, and we should leverage this advantage to achieve the vision of the Government of Odisha to achieve 5000 start-ups by 2025.”

In her address, Smt. Rajita Kulkarni, President, Sri Sri University said “Odisha has one of the most vibrant start-up ecosystems in the country and start-ups must look at the current strengths of the State to determine future possibilities. Anything that can enhance health, wealth and time should be considered as an opportunity. Start-ups should look at solutions that enhances the quality of life for society. It is important to ride on the strengths of the state such as healthcare, Agri services, mining, hydel power and wind energy solutions.”

Dr. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur in his address said, “Globally there are three D’s that are driving disruption. The first is digital disruption, which creates a lot of scope for newcomers with opportunities for everyone. The second is decarbonisation, which will be a great opportunity for the start-up ecosystem with new verticals emerging such as electric vehicles, and opportunities in manufacturing. Odisha, with its stable government and forward-looking policies is set to become the next IT hub and will emerge as the next destination for investment.”

Addressing start-ups present at the event, Amarendra Sahu, co-founder Nestaway in his address said, “Start-ups should no longer look only at markets which are close and comfortable but rather to markets that pay. I am convinced that product start-ups from Odisha are built here, sell abroad is actually going to create a lot of value. We need to make O-Hub a global centre of excellence and attract entrepreneurs from across India to Odisha.”

In his address, Raj Mishra, Founder, INDEA Capital, said, “The end goal for any start-up should be to become a big company. Start-ups must focus on four aspects, namely better products, better services, faster and cheaper and look for opportunities in big markets with a customer centric approach.”

Dr. Ajaya Kumar Mohanty, Director Deliotte, said, “Odisha contributes 5% of the IT workforce across the country, but the state does not get that kind of business. We have a lot to catch up with, create opportunities in the small and medium spaces rather than looking at the government and large companies to provide jobs. In order to be successful, the most important focus of start-ups should be the idea, aspiration, and tenacity. The East including China is a 30 trillion-dollar industry and Odisha is strategically located to exploit that opportunity.”

The first session was addressed by Dr Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman, Startup Odisha, Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, Prof Rajita Kulkarni, President, Sri Sri University, Dr Sukant K. Mohapatra, Chairman, NIST, Berhampur. The second session was addressed by Dr Ajaya Kumar Mohanty, Director, Deloitte, Shri Raj Mishra, Founder, Indea Capital. Mr Amit Singal, Founding Partner, Fluid Ventures, Ms Seema Chaturvedi, Founder, Awe Funds, Mr Srustijeet Mishra, Serial Tech Entrepreneur & Angel Investor, Mr Rahul Prigawat, AVP, LetsVenture, Mr Amarendra Sahu, Co-Founder, Nestaway.

Startup Odisha supported start-up Larkai Healthcare secured a funding of INR ONE CRORE from Gurgaon based Real-Time Angel Funds during the programme today.

About Make in Odisha Conclave 2022

The inaugural edition of the Make in Odisha Conclave was organized in 2016 to showcase the manufacturing prowess of the State and the investment potential in diverse sectors. It was an overwhelming success, with announcement of investment intent to the tune of INR 2.03 lakh crore. The Government of Odisha has demonstrated strong commitment to deliver projects on ground, which is reflected in the fact that out of these investment intents received, close to 65% projects are in various stages of approval and implementation. The second edition of the biennial Make in Odisha Conclave 2018 was also a huge success with 202 number of intents received and 118 proposals received. This year the Conclave will be a celebration of 5 days, presenting Odisha, its potential and achievements, to the world with Japan and Norway as partner countries. It will also be a platform to exchange ideas and share knowledge. The Conclave will have sector specific seminars across food processing, agro-business and agro-marketing, chemicals petrochemicals and plastics, metal downstream and ancillaries, IT/ITeS, textiles and apparels, renewable energy and equipment, real estate & social infrastructure, healthcare and pharma, film and entertainment, tourism, biotechnology, logistics and warehousing, aerospace & defence apart from other engaging events.

For more information: https://mio.investodisha.gov.in