Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Startup Odisha Yatra on Tuesday with a view to scout innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs. The yatra van will travel to 60 educational institutions across the 16 districts of the state.
The Chief Minister added that selected ideas will be put to 3 days intensive acceleration programme and the best 50 innovators will be provided incubation and mentorship support to convert their ideas into startups. He said in eight months time, already 175 startups are registered with the Startup Odisha initiative and the target is to have 1000-Startups by 2020.
Boot camps will be held and winners will get cash prizes, legal consultation, advisory services and mentorship support. MSME Minister, Mr Prafulla Samal informed that the main objective of the yatra is to create awareness about the startup ecosystem in tier 2/3 towns.
He added that the yatra will be of one month duration. Additional Chief Secretary, MSME , Mr L.N. Gupta informed that during the period Startup Clubs will also be formed at each of the educational/ host institution on the yatra route. These clubs will function under the supervision of a Professor in-charge and with 3-4 volunteers.