Dharmendra Pradhan Sets Ambitious Goal For Odisha: 100 Start-Ups With 100 Crore Turnover By 2036

Bhubaneswar: Unveiling an ambitious vision for Odisha’s entrepreneurial landscape, Union Minister Darmendra Pradhan said the state aims to have 100 start-ups with a turnover of Rs 100 crore each by 2036, its centenary year.

Dharmendra was speaking at a fireside chat in a prelude event to the inauguration of the 100 Cube Start-up Conclave at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar.

The Education and Skill Development Minister said the youth of Odisha will significantly contribute to the development of India as it completes 100 years of Independence in 2047, and asserted IIT Bhubaneswar will play a critical role in anchoring the state’s talent.

“Our target is to mint 100 start-ups with 100 crore-plus turnover by 2036. The 100 Cube event by IIT Bhubaneswar is envisioned for this purpose. Together we will create a culture of entrepreneurship in India,” he said.

In the 10 years of the Narendra Modi government, the start-up ecosystem in the country has boomed tremendously with tech latent stemming from all quarters, especially economically backward states.

“Since 2014 there has been a paradigm shift in the start-up ecosystem in India. In the last 10 years, the number of start-ups has increased from three-four thousands to over one lakh,” he said.

Dharmendra also asserted that the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya was a unifying force for the country and was rejoiced in Odisha as well.

India’s talent pool resides in areas where hunger for resolution is the most, he said, adding the academia, start-ups and the industry are working together to fill the skill gap in the country.

The announcement reflects the government’s commitment to fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and enabling the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the state. By setting ambitious targets for the start-up ecosystem, Odisha aims to create a conducive environment for innovation, job creation, and economic development.

Dharmendra’s remarks come at a time when India’s start-up ecosystem is witnessing rapid growth and recognition on the global stage. The initiative to nurture 100 high-growth start-ups with substantial turnovers underscores Odisha’s aspirations to emerge as a key player in the country’s entrepreneurial landscape.