Startup Odisha Partners with PhonePe to Boost Digital Empowerment for Startups

Bhubaneswar: In a strategic move to strengthen the digital capabilities of the startup ecosystem, Startup Odisha—an initiative under the MSME Department, Government of Odisha—has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PhonePe Private Limited, one of India’s leading digital payment platforms. The signing ceremony was held at the O-Hub Building in Bhubaneswar.

The MoU was formally signed by Kamaljit Das, Chief Administrative Officer of Startup Odisha, and Shri Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat, Chief Business Officer, Merchant Business at PhonePe Private Limited.

This partnership is poised to ease the way startups conduct business by offering them seamless access to PhonePe’s comprehensive suite of digital payment and business technology services. The collaboration aims to help startups streamline their operations, enhance customer experience, and scale efficiently in today’s competitive environment.

The agreement reflects the forward-looking vision of Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary of the MSME Department and Chairman of Startup Odisha, who has been instrumental in attracting national and global corporate collaborations to Odisha. His leadership continues to focus on building strong institutional linkages and nurturing a vibrant innovation-driven ecosystem for startups across the state.

Under the MoU, Startup Odisha will identify and refer eligible startups to PhonePe, which in turn will provide onboarding assistance and access to its state-of-the-art digital infrastructure. Registered startups will benefit from a host of PhonePe services including payment technology solutions, promotional support, and marketing assistance, in accordance with the platform’s onboarding policies and verification norms.

The partnership also aims to encourage cashless, tech-enabled entrepreneurship by offering secure and user-friendly digital payment services across various sectors.

“This partnership will not only facilitate ease of doing business but also accelerate Odisha’s journey towards becoming one of India’s top startup destinations,” said officials at the ceremony.

By forging this collaboration, Startup Odisha reinforces its commitment to digitally empowering startups and building a resilient, tech-savvy, and innovation-led startup ecosystem in the state.