Odisha CM, Naveen Patnaik launches Startup India-Odisha Yatra to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs

Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik launched a new campaign under the Startup India programme aiming to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs.

As part of the Odisha Yatra campaign, officials of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department will travel to about 60 educational institutions, across 15 districts including Khudra, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Balasore and Ganjam. Startup clubs will also be formed at the educational institutes and will function under supervision of a professor in-charge with around 3-4 volunteers.

The CM also pointed out that they are enroute to realising their mission of opening 1,000 startups by 2020 in the state. In order to achieve this, ten bootcamps at select colleges will be organised giving budding entrepreneurs the chance to present their startup ideas and pitch for backing from investors. In addition, the bootcamp winners will receive cash prizes, advisory and legal consultation along with mentorship support.

According to Prafulla Samal, Odisha’s MSME minister, the main objective of the yatra to raise awareness on the startup ecosystems in Tier-II and Tier-III towns while inspiring entrepreneurs and the younger workforce to set up ventures within the state. He also added that the grand finale to the month-long yatra will be at Bhubaneswar.

L N Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, MSME department also added that 50 entrepreneurs will get the opportunity to achieve their dream of converting their business ideas into startups during the yatra.