Empowering the Northeast
Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has been at the forefront of driving India's digital transformation and entrepreneurial growth. In line with this vision, STPI's OctaNE (Open Connectivity through Technology and Networking of Entrepreneurs) initiative is creating a powerful innovation network across the Northeast, one of the country's most promising regions.
Designed as a cluster of eight Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs), OctaNE is catalysing deep-tech innovation, fostering start-ups, and building a self-sustaining digital ecosystem that empowers local talent to contribute to India's growing innovation economy. It seeks to bridge the gap between India's established start-up hubs and the Northeast's emerging potential. The eight interlinked CoEs focus on technology domains aligned with local strengths and global opportunities - IoT in Agriculture (Guwahati), Animation (Shillong), AR/VR (Imphal), Gaming and Entertainment (Aizawl), Data Analytics and AI (Agartala), Healthcare and Agritech (Gangtok), Drone and GIS (Itanagar), and Graphic Design (Kohima). Each CoE functions as a specialised hub while collaborating across domains to foster joint innovation. Collectively, they are projected to create jobs within CoE facilities as well as additional opportunities in start-up-led ventures in the future, reinforcing the Government's vision of digital inclusion and resilient economic growth.
OctaNE's incubation infrastructure offers start-ups end-to-end support, including cutting-edge labs, co-working spaces, technical mentorship, market access, and investor linkages. This integrated ecosystem enables entrepreneurs to reduce capital risk while accelerating innovation and go-to-market readiness. Through this network, start-ups gain access not only to infrastructure but also to a robust community of industry experts, investors, and academic partners.
Till now, STPI OctaNE CoEs in the Northeast have incubated 257 start-ups. These start-ups have collectively developed 51 working prototypes and reported 217 innovative products. The ventures nurtured by OctaNE CoEs have collectively raised external funding of more than INR 7.26 crore. In addition, 89 Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) have been filed, underlining a culture of research-driven innovation. Start-ups nurtured under OctaNE showcase the Northeast's rise as a technology-driven growth hub, blending innovation with regional strengths. Each Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) across the seven states drives transformation through IT, agritech, creative tech, and emerging technologies — creating impact, livelihoods, and new opportunities.
In Gangtok, Respirit Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. and Swadha Agri are applying technology in healthcare and agriculture. Respirit offers an integrated respiratory health ecosystem, while Swadha Agri's multilingual digital platform streamlines farm-to-fork operations with transparency and traceability. Deployed in Jharkhand and now being customised for Sikkim IFFCO Organics, Swadha has empowered thousands of farmers and customers.
At Aizawl, gaming start-ups like Looney Dog Productions Pvt. Ltd. and GauravGo Technologies Pvt. Ltd. are redefining entertainment. Looney Dog has developed games such as Echoes of the Past and Dark Archer, while GauravGo's SENA Mayaverse lets users play and earn, supported by in-game brand promotions. In Itanagar, Scraptechies Solutions Pvt. Ltd. builds affordable surveillance and drone technology, while Srajan Data Analytics Pvt. Ltd. develops AI tools to monitor farms and optimise yields.
At the Imphal CoE, Double Uppercut Games and Inkrid Studios Pvt. Ltd. develop immersive AR/VR games rooted in storytelling and culture. The Shillong Animation CoE supports Diffusion G Production Pvt. Ltd. in advanced CGI and Baby Jingles Pvt. Ltd. in creating engaging children's content. In Guwahati, Sarus Agro Pvt. Ltd. and Poohar Essence Pvt. Ltd. are transforming agriculture through IoT-enabled sensors and AI-based advisories.
The Agartala CoE drives innovation through Dreambot Pvt. Ltd.'s robotic cooking platform and Auradristhti Technologies Pvt. Ltd.'s AI-powered virtual fashion-shoot solution. In Kohima, Lumapix Creative Studios LLP and Creatvise are building a vibrant design ecosystem with VFX, animation, and simplified digital workflows — positioning the Northeast as a growing force in India's digital and creative economy.
Beyond incubation, OctaNE has become a launchpad for first-generation entrepreneurs, providing world-class facilities and mentorship once limited to metropolitan centres. It encourages students, researchers, and professionals to explore emerging technologies, prototype ideas, and solve region-specific challenges, helping retain talent and drive sustainable regional growth.
OctaNE's Investor Connect initiative links start-ups with venture capitalists, angel investors, and corporate leaders, offering visibility, partnerships, and capital to scale beyond regional markets. Today, OctaNE is more than an incubation network — it is helping transform the Northeast into India's next tech frontier, spreading digital opportunity through collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.
The writer is the Director General Software Technology Parks of India; views are personal
