Startup Odisha rolls out Startup Yatra and Startup Xpress 2023

Startup Odisha, an initiative of the MSME Department, Government of Odisha has announced the launch of Odisha Startup Yatra and Starup Express 2023, the newest edition of its flagship initiatives.

The initiatives will be flagged off by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. With a core focus on guiding and empowering young minds at the grassroots level in the realms of innovation and entrepreneurship, the initiatives seek to equip them for harnessing the ample opportunities within the startup ecosystem. 

Through a series of engaging initiatives, including both Van Camps and Boot Camps for scouting innovative ideas, Startup Odisha will engage with educational institutions across the 30 districts in Odisha, involving 200+ colleges and 60+ schools thus impacting 25,000+ students. As part of these initiatives, Startup Odisha will conduct 200+ van camps across colleges along with 60 van camps in various schools followed by more than 120 boot camps generating over 3500+ ideas. 

Commenting on the importance of Startup Yatra 2023, Industries, MSME, and Energy Minister, Pratap Keshari Deb said, "As Odisha marches towards its mission of 5000 Startups by 2025, Odisha Startup Yatra and Startup Xpress 2023 will be pivotal in bringing innovative ideas to the forefront. With a track record of nurturing innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and providing robust support to women entrepreneurs, these initiatives stand as a transformative experience, poised to accelerate the startup ecosystem's growth and success in the state.” 

In this installment of Startup Yatra, invitations are extended to a select group of 50 promising ideas to partake in a dynamic 3-day Acceleration program. Following this intensive phase, the most exceptional 25 concepts will secure a coveted spot at O-Hub for a high-profile demo day. Among these, a fortunate 10 will earn seed funding grants totaling INR 3,00,000 each, propelling them toward transforming their innovative ideas into thriving startup ventures. To streamline the process, the government launched a dedicated Mobile Application to facilitate the submission of groundbreaking ideas from aspiring young innovators.

Additionally, the top 20 ideas from Startup Xpress 2023 will be invited for final pitching out of which 10 ideas will be awarded with a cash prize of INR 10,000 each to encourage these young students and build their entrepreneurial spirit. 

Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha said, “Odisha Startup Yatra and Startup Xpress 2023 marks a significant leap for Odisha's startup ecosystem. With 1700+ startups, including 42% led by women, and supported by 27 incubators, Odisha thrives as an entrepreneurial hub. These initiatives will empower students by offering insights, idea pitching, and a pathway to the acceleration program. We aspire for this journey to enhance entrepreneurship, catalyze innovative breakthroughs, and unify the state on its path to becoming a transformative ideas hub.” 

The grand finale of the Odisha Startup Yatra and Startup Xpress journey concludes in Bhubaneswar. Here, students get the opportunity to present their innovative ideas, and in return, they receive cash prizes as well as invaluable mentorship and legal guidance provided by Startup Odisha.