Bhubaneswar: In a major push to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship, Startup Odisha, under the Department of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, launched the statewide ‘Odisha Seva First Innovation Challenge’ (OSFIC) on Wednesday at O-Hub in Bhubaneswar.
The initiative aims to engage over one lakh participants across the state—including students, youth, startups, farmers, artisans, and women’s self-help groups—to tackle real-world challenges across 21 key themes.
The launch event brought together key government officials, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, MSME and Fisheries & Animal Resources Development MinisterGokulananda Mallik announced that ideas from the top 20 winners will be compiled into a compendium to help attract investment, emphasising the state’s focus on helping youth transition from job seekers to job creators.
Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain highlighted the inclusive nature of the platform, noting that innovation springs not just from laboratories, but from farmers, students, and artisans across the state’s villages.
Additionally, Science & Technology Minister Krushna Chandra Patra revealed that the department has prepared a blueprint for advances in AI and biotechnology through a dedicated Odisha Innovation Mission.
Marking the commencement of the initiative, officials unveiled the official OSFIC web portal and signed strategic MoUs with AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the World Skill Centre, and ASSOCHAM. Startup Odisha also distributed one-time capital grants to four leading incubators — ACURATE, NIST, CIPET, and SOA.
Designed as a comprehensive launchpad for service-oriented solutions, OSFIC will nurture promising ideas from participants across Odisha, culminating in a grand finale with financial rewards for the winning projects.
Interested candidates can register through the official portal at osfic.startupodisha.org/register.