A mix of excitement, eustress, and the fear of falling flat on your face is part and parcel of starting up a business. But, everybody knows that being an entrepreneur never came easy.
The Startup and IT Promotion Cell, Department of IT, Electronics, and Communications in Goa celebrated a day-long programme on the occasion of the National Startup Day on January 16, 2024. The event was held at the Fortune Miramar.
The event included a workshop hosted by Vaniya Dangwal, a masterclass by Sanchin Karnik, founder of the Great Unicorn Hunt and was followed by the 'Corporate Connect Bridge', with panel discussions by Yatin Kakodkar, owner of Apex Packing Products Pvt Ltd, Pallavi Salgaocar, executive director at Geno Pharma, Anirudh Dempo, director of Goa Paints and Allied Products Pvt Ltd, and Nitin Desai, owner of Exflor-Exterior Flooring solutions. The event concluded with the felicitation of prominent startups.
On January 15, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced January 16, the foundation day of Startup India, as National Startup Day. Inaugurating the event, Narendra Modi stressed the importance of startups as the foundation of new India.
This was a demonstration of the government's commitment to recognising startups' vital contributions to building a nation, economic growth, and self-reliance.
The Startup India programme is also vital in achieving the Prime Minister's objective of Viksit Bharat 2047 of India being a developed nation by the year 2047.
The felicitation of startups took place at the hands of the Chief Guest, Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Printing and Stationery, and the Guest of Honour, Dr Chandrakant Shetye, Chairman, InfoTech Corporation of Goa and Member of Legislative Assembly.
Twelve prominent startups were felicitated for their remarkable contributions to the startup ecosystem, namely: Molbio, Blive, Bodhami, Transerve, Minko, Kabira, Contractzy, Numadic, Spintly, Stoa, Wakao, and Namaste Chai.
In his keynote address, Rohan Khaunte recalled the dual significance of the day, underscored the significance of the Opinion Poll, and lauded the achievements of Indian entrepreneurs.
Khaunte said, "Our vision is to be recognized as a hub for both technical and creative innovation. Additionally, we recognise the pivotal role of women’s empowerment in the startup ecosystem. Modi ji's emphasis on Yuva Shakti, Mahila Shakti, Kisan Shakti, and Garib Kalyan reflects the attributes we prioritise for our country's success."
He added further, "Population around the world is aging, and people are getting older, but India is an exception, we are a youthful population. But 20-25 years from now, our population will also peak. And after it peaks, we will also age, so it is our time to make the most of it,"
The event also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of IT and HDFC bank.
The bank has also committed ₹99 lakhs to assisting startups contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the release of the Goa Startup Digest 2023 which is a comprehensive dossier on Central Government schemes, compilation of prominent startups in Goa and activities and initiatives led by the Startup & IT Promotion Cell in the last 6 months.
The panel discussion held as a precursor to the felicitation programme saw a mix of investors, industry associations, matured startups, and others.
More than 100 people attended the event, including entrepreneurs, students, professionals, and key stakeholders.
