Bhubaneswar, Jan 29: Startup Odisha at the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave 2025, has marked a significant milestone in the state’s journey to becoming a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The event witnessed the signing of 9 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with prominent brands in the presence of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Government of India, Shri Gokulananda Malik, Hon’ble Minister for MSME, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Hon’ble Minister, Housing and Urban Development Department, Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon’ble Minister, Odisha Language Literature and Culture Department, Shri Saswata Mishra, IAS Principal Secretary, Department of Finance, Government of Odisha and Shri Kamaljit Das, OAS (S), Joint Secretary to MSME department, and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Startup Odisha.
Adding to the occasion, a coffee table book and a newsletter were launched, and 3 plenary sessions were organised, underscoring the collective commitment of the state and its key partners to foster growth and development in Odisha’s startup ecosystem.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Government of India, shared his stance on the Startup growth in Odisha. He said, “Odisha’s rise as a hub for startups, is driven by the state's entrepreneurial spirit and innovation. With initiatives like Startup Odisha, collaborations with IIT Bhubaneswar, and supportive policies, the Government of Odisha, in alignment with the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is fostering an ecosystem for growth, emphasizing sectors like education, sports, IT, and culture. The state is empowering youth with support, mentorship, and infrastructure to transform ideas into impactful businesses. Odisha is building a future-driven by startups, positioning itself for global recognition. The journey of innovation and progress has just begun.”
Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon’ble Minister, Odisha Language Literature and Culture Department, in his address expressed, “By the time Odisha turns 100 years, state's vision is to attract 100 startups, transforming Odisha into a hub for innovation and growth. With Bhubaneswar leading the charge, the Startup Odisha initiative is boosting startups, creating jobs, and positioning Odisha as a top destination for entrepreneurship. The state's focus spans sectors like education, healthcare, IT, sports, and culture, with plans to establish a Sports Economic Zone and support startups in collaboration with IIT Bhubaneswar. Odisha is committed to empowering its youth and positioning itself as a global leader in innovation and excellence, aiming to host the 2036 Olympics.”
Shri Gokulananda Malik, Hon’ble Minister for MSME, said, “Utkarsh Odisha Conclave 2025 is a proud moment for the state, uniting entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to celebrate innovation. Odisha has become a thriving startup hub, empowering youth and women with robust support to drive growth across sectors. This event reaffirms our commitment to making Odisha a global startup destination, creating opportunities and shaping the future of the state.”
The conclave featured prominent speakers such as Kunal Bahl, CEO and Founder of Ace Ventures and Co-founder of Snapdeal; Bhaskar Majumdar, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Unicorn India Ventures; Ratun Lahiri, Senior Advisor of Unicorn India Ventures; and Maya Sherman, Innovation Attaché at the Embassy of Israel. These distinguished individuals shared their expertise, offering valuable insights into the startup ecosystem.
The conclave delivered an insightful experience with engaging panel discussions on transformative topics. The first panel, “Odisha: A Land of Opportunities,” featured industry stalwarts such as Shri Soobhankar Pati, CEO, Professor In-charge, Startup centre, IIT Bhubaneswar, Shri Saswata Mishra, IAS Principal Secretary, Department of Finance, Government of Odisha, Shri Swayam Prakash Baral - Swadesh Infra Marketing Pvt. Ltd., Shri Ganesh Sathyamurthy, Partner, Artha99 Investments Time Activity, Dr. Santosh Matthew, Country Lead, State Systems and Partnerships, Gates Foundation, Shri Shantanu Chaturvedi Vice President (Investments), Transition VC, and Shri Kumar Gaurav, Chief Marketing Officer, SMFG India Credit. This session underlined the opportunities that made Odisha a prime destination for entrepreneurial ventures.
Another thought-provoking session, “Women in Innovation: The Future of Startup Evolution in Odisha,” focused on empowering women entrepreneurs, with participants like Madhumita Agrawal, Founder of Oben Electric, Sarika Saxena, Managing Partner of Indian Angel Network, Prof. Sasmita Samanta, MD cum Chairperson, Sustainable Outreach and Universal Leadership Ltd., Ms. Dipti Panda, Co-Founder and Director, Innocresta Consulting, and Ms. Dharitri Patnaik, Founder, Jivada Ventures Pvt. Ltd., sharing their insights.
The final panel, “Grassroots to Global,” delved into how Odisha’s grassroots innovations scaled to global prominence. It featured esteemed speakers such as Shri Sushanto Mitra, CEO and Founder, Lead Angels, Shri Vijay Singh Rathore, CEO, Soonicorn Ventures, Shri Mayuresh Raut, Managing Partner, SeaFund, Aaquib Hussain, Co-Founder, Freeflow Ventures, Shri Mittu Tigi, Director, Merstra VC, Shri Amit Singhal, Partner, Fluid Ventures, and Shri Sumant Sinha, Founder, Renew.
The Startup Odisha Pavilion also witnessed the signing of key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with notable organisations, including HDFC Bank, Hero MotoCorp, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), The Circle Founders club, Oplus India Research and Development Private Limited (OPPO), Merstra Foundation, Transition Venture Capital (TVC), ACIC GIET University, and the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management.
At the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave, a platform dedicated to showcasing innovation and entrepreneurship in the state, where 20 promising startup companies, nurtured and supported by Startup Odisha, from diverse sectors, including technology, healthcare, fintech, agritech, and sustainability, took center stage with their vibrant stalls.
