Odisha Pushes Stronger Government-Startup Linkages, Focus on Tribal Entrepreneurship

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is looking to deepen the role of startups in delivering government programmes and creating new market opportunities, with Chief Secretary Anu Garg calling for closer government-industry collaboration and greater use of emerging technologies across sectors.

The issue came up for discussion during a review of the state’s startup ecosystem at Lok Seva Bhawan on Wednesday, where officials took stock of startup support, incubation facilities, priority sectors and measures planned to expand opportunities for young and tribal entrepreneurs.

Odisha has so far recognised 2,893 startups and 43 incubators under the Odisha Startup Policy-2016. The state is now seeking to broaden the ecosystem by bringing more departments, higher education institutions and grassroots innovators into the startup network.

Garg stressed the need for government departments to actively engage with startups so that innovative products and technologies can move beyond development stages and find practical applications in public programmes. The meeting proposed the appointment of nodal officers in departments to facilitate coordination and create opportunities for startups to contribute towards departmental targets under Vision Odisha.

Several departments and agencies have been identified for closer engagement with startups, including Odisha Livelihoods Mission, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Mission Shakti, Higher Education, Health and Family Welfare, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, ORMAS, School and Mass Education, Industry, Water Resources, Commerce and Transport, Skill Development, Tourism, Handloom and Handicrafts and Housing and Urban Development.

The state is promoting startups across sectors such as agri-tech, food processing, tourism, handloom and handicrafts, electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, IT and IT-enabled services, artificial intelligence and machine learning, precision engineering, green technology, cleantech, aerospace and drones, healthcare and med-tech and the blue economy.

Startups and incubators are eligible for a range of government support, including monthly assistance, product development and marketing support, need-based assistance, subsidised incubation and participation in national and international programmes. Additional incentives are available for ventures led by women, transgender persons, members of ST, SC and SEBC communities and persons with disabilities.

Tribal entrepreneurship emerged as a key area of focus during the review. Odisha recently signed an MoU with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to strengthen tribal startups through budgetary assistance, advanced technology and AI programmes, district-level startup infrastructure, loans, employment and internship opportunities.

The government plans to conduct awareness programmes across tribal districts and blocks, establish dedicated incubation facilities and increase promotional and financial support for tribal-led ventures. The meeting also discussed encouraging more grassroots-level startup registrations and bringing additional higher education institutions into the ecosystem.

The MSME Department highlighted the need to improve workspace and infrastructure for startups, undertake policy reforms, build international partnerships and strengthen the Odisha Startup Fund. Possibilities for collaboration with Japan’s Tottori Prefecture in the startup sector were also discussed.

Officials further stressed the importance of timely submission of data and certificates by departments for the Startup Recognition Evaluation Process for 2024-25 and 2025-26.

Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh and senior officials from the Electronics and Information Technology, MSME, Agriculture, Skill Development and Technical Education, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development and other departments attended the meeting. Officials from Startup Odisha and the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation were also present.