13 days long Odisha Startup Carnival 2022 inaugurated

13 days long Odisha Startup Carnival 2022 inaugurated

Odisha has emerged as a startup hub in the last few years and has been attracting investors and businesses to explore the opportunities in the state. The 13 day long Odisha Startup Carnival 2022 kicked off on Monday in the capital city. 

Former Chairman of OERC Upendra Nath Behera called on young minds of the state to take startup initiatives to the next level. Speaking at the inaugural session of Odisha Startup Carnival 2022 organised by AIC-Nalanda in association with Startup Odisha, Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited (UCCIL) and Fluid Ventures at UCCIL, Bhubaneswar. 

As chief guest, he said that Odisha has a strong supporting ecosystem for startups which improves the ease of doing business in the state. Many approvals become seamless and time required for them has reduced significantly. “Now is the time to take risks and to march ahead. Ecosystem is ready to help you and innovation is the key to success “, he added.

Chairman-Advisory Board, AIC-Nalanda and President of Vedanta, Dr Tapan Kumar Chand opined that use of technology is very much essential for startups to scale their business. He said that, “Startups should focus on ideas that would bring benefits for common people. They should look for employment generation and reap the benefit of demographic dividend. Timely availability of fund and market access is another area which needs attention. Networking is also necessary to push the products for many.”

In his welcome address UCCIL President Ashok Kumar Sarada said, “In the last 6 years startup initiative has created excitement throughout the country. Odisha and many other states have come up with their own startup policy which enables an environment where they are flourishing. Odisha startup policy is very vibrant with O-Hub facility in Infocity. The state government calls young minds to come forward to participate in the initiative. This is the area which the country needs the most for the next phase of growth.’’

Director, Essar Minmet Limited, Sanjay Pattanaik said, “Odisha ranks in top performer category in India when it comes to startups. Not only young minds but also experienced professionals are attracted towards the startup ecosystem. When the investor’s meet of Make in Odisha conclave was organised in cities like Bengaluru, we were able to sell success stories of startups which have made Odisha proud. I hope this conclave will give required impetus to the startups of Odisha to excel in future.”

President, Luminous Infoways, Jayashree Mohanty talked about the importance of pitching ideas to investors to go forward. She highlighted that Odisha has more than 450 startups and many are led by women entrepreneurs who have been successfully setting new milestones of growth.

Odisha Startup Conclave is a two weeks long event which will be held between July 4-16, 2022, which is the state’s biggest congregation of startups, mentors, investors and enablers that brings immense opportunities of connections, access, networking, investment and lot more into the ecosystem. The 10 days event shall witness over 35 experts, mentors and investors from varied fields and sectors across the country. Mentoring sessions, Investment Readiness and Pitching sessions have been planned for the event.