New Delhi, Apr 16 (KNN) In a bid to encourage the startup ecosystem in the state, the Odisha govt announced offering incubation to over 75 young entrepreneurs in the state.

These innovators were shortlisted post Startup India –Odisha Yatra held recently during which over 3600 ideas were received out of which 125 were shortlisted.

The final 75 ideas are to receive incubation offers and will be given free opportunities at IIT Bhubaneswar, STPI, I-Create at Ahmedabad and BIMTEC, New Delhi, Centurion University, KIIT- TBI, NIIST, Berhampur and Sri Sri University, Cuttack.

These 75 young innovators will be given three months incubation training post which they will be given 50,000 seed grant to further develop their ideas.

Commenting over the latest development, L.N Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) department said that this program will help state prosper as more and more startups will feel encouraged.

This is in line with stats mission to achieve 1000 startups by the year 2020, Gupta informed.

The ideas that made though the final round include asthama relief shirt, hybrid crop harvester, virtual reality-based tourism guide, eco-friendly pens and pencils, Internet of Things-based soil nutrient meter, brain controlled wheelchair and smart wearable device for cattle.

The free incubation is to include mentorship support, equipped work space, access to labs and free Internet and electricity.  (KNN/DA)