Bhubaneswar, Sept 11 (KNN) The Odisha government will kick start the Odisha Startup Yatra and Startup Express 2023 today (September 11). 

The programme aims to promote startups and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.

Startup Odisha, an initiative of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) department is organising the event. 

Industries and MSME minister Pratap Keshari Deb said, “Chief minister Naveen Patnaik will flag off the yatra on Monday. As Odisha marches towards its mission of 5,000 startups by 2025, Odisha Startup Yatra and Startup Xpress 2023 will be pivotal in bringing innovative ideas to the forefront.”

“Through a series of engaging initiatives, including both Van Camps and Boot Camps for scouting innovative ideas, Startup Odisha will engage with educational institutions across the 30 districts in Odisha, involving more than 200 colleges and 60 schools thus impacting 25,000 students. As part of these initiatives’ Startup Odisha will conduct more than 200 van camps across colleges along with 60 van camps in various schools followed by more than 120 boot camps generating over 3,500 ideas,” he said. 

At least 50 shortlisted ideas will be invited for a 3-day acceleration programme. Thereafter, the top 25 ideas will be invited to O-Hub for the demo day out of which 10 will be awarded seed funding worth Rs 3 lakh each to develop their ideas into viable startup ventures. 

A dedicated mobile application has been developed to collect innovative ideas from young innovators.

Top 20 ideas from Startup Xpress 2023 will be invited for final pitching, of which 10 ideas will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 10,000 each to encourage these young students.  (KNN Bureau)