Bhubaneswar: TiEcon 2025, a national-level entrepreneurship summit organised by TiE Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with the Odisha government, got underway here on Saturday.
The two-day summit, which has brought together entrepreneurs and thought leaders from across India and countries like Sri Lanka, Singapore, UAE, and the USA, marks a significant step in Odisha’s journey towards becoming a thriving hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
The inaugural day also saw the launch of four key initiatives aimed at strengthening Odisha’s entrepreneurship ecosystem were launched on the inaugural day.
They are: 1. Voice of Entrepreneurship – A grassroots initiative to connect with entrepreneurs across Odisha, gather insights on their challenges, and submit actionable feedback to relevant authorities; 2. Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs of Odisha – A campaign to identify and celebrate leading women entrepreneurs, creating role models for aspiring women across the state; 3. Entrepreneurship in School Curriculum – An initiative to integrate entrepreneurship as a subject in school curricula to nurture entrepreneurial mindsets from a young age; 4. TiE Presence in Every Block – Expanding TiE Bhubaneswar’s reach to every block of Odisha to ensure no aspiring entrepreneur is left behind.
State minister of Handloom & Textile Pradeep Bal Samanta highlighted Odisha’s 574-km coastline as a major opportunity for the blue economy, urging entrepreneurs and investors to focus on innovations that lead to growth, especially in emerging sectors.
He assured that the Odisha government remains committed to supporting entrepreneurs through initiatives in skill development and startup promotion.
Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary of Industry, stressed Odisha’s focus on growth driven by raw material, demand and technology, proposing identification of two entrepreneurs from each district with support from TiE Bhubaneswar.
Vishal Dev, Principal Secretary of Energy and IT, emphasised Odisha’s fiscal prudence and its achievements in industrial growth, disaster management, and healthcare, noting significant success in reducing child and maternal mortality rates.
TiE Bhubaneswar president Ayaskanta Mohanty said, “Entrepreneurs are change makers and nation builders. This is a celebration of entrepreneurship. We want TiE members in every block of the state and plan to include entrepreneurship in the school curriculum to enhance the entrepreneurship ecosystem across Odisha.”
TiE Global president Murali Bukkapatnam urged entrepreneurs to “boldly build, lead fearlessly, and make Bhubaneswar a place the world counts on. Don’t just follow — build bravely. The world is waiting for you.”
