Naveen Flags Off Startup Odisha Yatra 2.0 To Scout Entrepreneurs

Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday launched Startup Odisha Yatra 2.0, a flagship initiative of Startup Odisha.

The Yatra will cover over 100 educational institutions in 30 districts over a period of 60 days. It aims at scouting innovators and women entrepreneurs and promoting entrepreneurship among the youth at the grassroots level.

Launching the event, the Chief Minister said it will provide an entrepreneurial exposure to the youth and instil the culture of idea generation. The state has a mission of 5000 startups by 2025 and Startup Odisha Yatra 2.0 will be pivotal in bringing innovative ideas to the forefront, he added.

Currently, the state has more than 1300 recognised startups generating 10,000 employments with 40% of those led by women entrepreneurs.

During the Yatra, Bootcamps will be organised at various institutions to encourage idea generation and develop the spirit of entrepreneurship. With Odisha being the hub of talented ND innovative minds, the ideas pitched at Startup Odisha Yatra 2.0 Van Campaigns and Bootcamps will help identify ideas and innovators, Naveen said.

Principal Secretary, MSME Ranjana Chopra, secretary to CM( 5T) VK Pandian and Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha Dr Omkar Rai were present on the occasion.