Odisha govt's new campaign to encourage budding entrepreneurs

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday launched a new campaign under the central government's Startup India programme to encourage and inspire budding entrepreneurs.

As part of the state's 'Odisha Yatra' campaign, the officials of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department will travel to 60 educational institutions in 15 districts, including Khurda, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Balasore and Ganjam, he said.

"We are fast moving towards our mission of opening 1,000 startups in the state by 2020," Patnaik said.


Ten boot camps will be organised at selected colleges, where aspiring entrepreneurs will get a chance to present their ideas and seek backing from investors.

The winners of the boot camps will get cash prizes, legal consultation, advisory services and mentorship support, he said.

Odisha's MSME minister Prafulla Samal said the main objective of the yatra is to create awareness about the startup eco-system in Tier-II and Tier-III towns and encourage entrepreneurs and youths to set up their ventures in the state.

The one-month yatra will conclude with a grand finale at Bhubaneswar, he said.

Additional Chief Secretary, MSME department, L N Gupta said startup clubs will be formed at the educational institutes as part of the yatra. The clubs will function under the supervision of a professor in-charge with at least 3-4 volunteers.

During the yatra, 50 entrepreneurs will get a chance to convert their ideas into startups, Gupta added.