Startup India-Odisha Yatra to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday launched Startup India-Odisha Yatra, which will travel 60 educational institutions across the 16 districts of the state.

During the Startup India-Odisha Yatra, the state government expects that 500 innovative ideas are likely to be pitched, of which the best 50 ideas will be picked up for mentoring support and conversion to Startups.

The Chief Minister informed that selected ideas will be put to 3 days intensive acceleration programme and the best 50 innovators will be provided incubation and mentorship support to convert their ideas into startups.

During the period of last eight months, already 175 startups are registered with the Startup Odisha initiative.

“We are fast moving towards our mission of 1000-Startups by 2020,” Patnaik said.

The yatra van will cover educational institutions in Khorda, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Koraput, Rayagada and Ganjam districts.

The yatra will be of one-month duration and conclude with a grand finale at Bhubaneswar.

Besides, 10 Boot camps will be organized during this period at several educational institutions.

Boot Camps, ideation workshops and idea pitching sessions will be organized for the benefit of innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs. Winners of the boot camps will get cash prizes, legal consultation, advisory services and mentorship support.

MSME secretary L.N. Gupta informed that during the period, Startup Clubs will also be formed at each of the educational institution falling on the yatra route. These clubs will function under the supervision of a Professor-in-charge and with at least 3-4 volunteers.