The State Government has recognised 130 startup ventures in 34 sectors under its Startup initiative so far.
This was revealed at the 2nd Startup Council Meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary AP Padhi at the State Secretariat here on Wednesday. MS&ME ACS laxmi Narayan Gupta presented the updates for discussion.
Padhi directed to undertake more focused and outcome oriented activities for promotion of innovative entrepreneurship in the State.
Odisha Skill Development Authority Chairman Subroto Bagchi suggested having more engagement with sponsoring and evaluating institutions for scouting increasing number of innovations.
It was decided to flourish a world-class state-of-the art Center of Excellence in the Research and Entrepreneurship Park of IIT, Bhubaneswar.
The Center was given a kick start by philanthropic contribution of Rs 2.5 crore from Susmita Bagchi and an equal grant by the State Government. STPI DG Omkar Rai assured all support and said the STPI would also provide a fund support of Rs 2.5 crore for the Center.
IIT Director Prof RV Raja Kumar said that the center would have a world class incubation center, laboratory, highly focused courses along with education and skill development programmes.
The council approved the product development and financial assistance in favour of two new start ups in the field of ‘automation in Industry maintenance’, and ‘alternative technology for repair of oil and gas pipe lines’. Various activities for coming six months with estimated expenditure of `15 crore was discussed and approved in the meeting.
The meeting nominated XIMB, Centurial University, IITM, and KIIT for evaluating the startup proposals and sponsoring those to the Council. Earlier, the IIT, STPI, NITR, IMMT, OUAT and the NIFT had been asked to do so.
Gupta said the number of entrepreneurs getting financial assistance from the Council rose to 20 with the two new ones.