Startup Odisha Hosts Build-Up Event for Utkarsh Odisha 2025 at SOA

Bhubaneswar: The Atal Incubation Centre (AIC-SOA Foundation) at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University hosted a Build-Up event for Utkarsh Odisha 2025 on Wednesday, organized by Startup Odisha.

The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, academicians, and students from various SOA institutes as part of the Utkarsh Odisha 2025 Awareness Program, which aims to foster innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and a grassroots startup ecosystem across Odisha.

SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the university’s initiatives to empower young innovators and strengthen the regional startup landscape.

Joint Secretary in the Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Chief Administrative Officer of Startup Odisha, Kamaljit Das, outlined the vision of building an inclusive and robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state. Highlighting key initiatives, Soumya Ranjan Panda, Knowledge Partner at Startup Odisha, detailed programs supporting startups, while Dr. Nibedita Jena, COO of the Institute of Life Science, emphasized the role of educational institutions in shaping Odisha’s industries, focusing on product design for early-stage startups.

Subrat Prusty, Director (Technology) at the Department of Telecommunications, discussed how Odisha’s cultural heritage fosters innovation among its youth. A presentation by the Software Technology Park of India (STPI) underscored its contributions under the Viksit Bharat Mission, encouraging students to seize emerging opportunities in the tech sector.

Two parallel activities engaged young minds at the event. The Innovation Challenge provided a platform for aspiring innovators to present breakthrough ideas, while a quiz competition tested participants’ knowledge of the startup ecosystem.

Prizes were awarded to the top three participants in each track, recognizing their creativity, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial skills. Prof. Manas Kumar Mallick, Director of AIC-SOA Foundation, presented the awards, applauding the participants for their ingenuity and enthusiasm.

The event served as a dynamic prelude to Utkarsh Odisha 2025, highlighting Odisha’s growing potential as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.