Goa is now second state to implement Startup Policy after Odisha

Panaji, June 29 (KNN) According to the promise made by the Government of Goa for Startup Policy, as many as 53 startups in the state are presently certified under the Goa Startup Mission, said Rohan Khaunte, IT Minister, Goa.

“A total of 91 percent of the units are Goan while, others are outsiders with local offices established here which are getting monetary incentives in the form of reimbursements. Under the Central Government’s Startup India Mission, Goa is the second state to implement startup policy after Orissa”, he said.

“Through IT events, workshops and bringing in investors, the State Government is making the ecosystem live. Startups are being encouraged with an aim to generate employment and infrastructure by way of last mile connectivity and fiber directly to home to provide by 2019.

Most of the 53 certified startups are in IT enabled services and some are in education and healthcare. The goal of government is to officially list some of them as success stories. The Minister was speaking at the CII-Goa, Corporate Startup Connect Series event in Panaji which is the first step under the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed between the trade body and the state government to promote as a startup destination," the Minister said.

Ameya Abhyankar, IT secretary speaking at the event said, “As of now, the government has distributed Rs 33 lakhs as incentives to the certified startups and ahead of this, we will disburse another Rs 70 lakh taking the total incentives to Rs one crore. He pointed out that all 14 schemes are in operation. For the Goan industrialists who wish to set up co-working spaces will get capital incentives and for this, we are planning to have a capital grant scheme."

Ashank Desai, Goan IT stalwart, Founder Mastek said, “Most startups lack in the industry connect which is important for the state to have knowledge-based companies. To showcase budding startups from all states CII-Goa startup connect event is the first of corporate connect series by the trade body."

This event was attended by potential investors, venture capitalists, mentors, and high net worth individuals. Founders of three successful startup companies, Greg Moran, Co-Founder and CEO, Zoom Car, Gaurav Verma, Co-Founder, CarWale, Jay Krishna, Founding CEO, T-Hub, shared their growth stories. A total of eleven local startups pitched their ideas to investors and will hopefully receive future funding.