By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The highly anticipated Odisha Startup Carnival 2024, a flagship 15-day initiative organized by AIC-Nalanda Institute of Technology Foundation to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, concluded on 21st December 2024 with an exceptional closing ceremony held at Welcomhotel by ITC, Bhubaneswar. The event, which brought together a vibrant community of over 300 participants, showcased Odisha’s growing startup ecosystem and emphasized the need for collaboration, innovation, and growth.
The Odisha Startup Carnival 2024 was organized with support from key stakeholders, including Atal Innovation Mission, Startup Odisha, Fluid Ventures, Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited (UCCIL), and Canara Bank. Over the span of 15 days, the carnival featured multiple events and engaging sessions designed to facilitate connections, knowledge exchange, and strategic discussions among entrepreneurs, investors, government representatives, and other key ecosystem players.
The closing ceremony, marking the culmination of these dynamic efforts, celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit of Odisha and its increasing prominence as a hub for innovation. The diverse audience of founders, entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, national and international delegates, and government representatives demonstrated the strength and inclusivity of Odisha’s startup ecosystem.
Renowned personalities enriched the event with their presence, including Mr. Sambit Tripathy, Founder of Livelihood Alternatives; Mr. Sanjeev Mahapatra, Honorary Secretary of UCCIL; Ms. Jayashree Mohanty, President of Luminous Infoways; Mr. Rajen Padhi, Director of B-One Business; Ms. Abha Mishra, Head of UNDP, Odisha; Mr. Amit Singal, Partner at Fluid Ventures; Ms. Chidatmika Khatua, Director of Sushruta Trauma Care, and many others. Their active participation and insights furthered the vision of building a strong and inclusive startup ecosystem in Odisha.
The event kicked off with insightful country presentations from international experts including Ms. Maya Sherman, Innovation Attaché from the Embassy of Israel; Ms. Divya Anil Bajaj, Vice President of London & Partners; Mr. Rajesh Bhagat, South Asia Consultant at HKTDC; Mr. Puneet Thakur, Head of Invest In at Business Finland; and Ms. Misri Goradia, Commercial Representative at ProChile. Their presentations provided a global perspective on innovation and cross-border collaboration, setting the stage for meaningful discussions.
The carnival also featured engaging panel discussions covering critical themes such as Global Scaling for Startups, Building the Startup Ecosystem in Odisha, Women-led Entrepreneurship, and Investment Opportunities for Startups in Tier II and Tier III Cities. With a distinguished lineup of speakers, these sessions offered practical insights and strategies to empower entrepreneurs on their growth journey.
A key highlight of the event was the Startup Product Showcase and Startup Shower, where entrepreneurs from Odisha’s thriving startup ecosystem showcased their groundbreaking products, reflecting the state’s creativity and innovation. This gave the audience a firsthand look at the impressive potential of Odisha’s startups.
The Odisha Startup Carnival 2024 concluded with the inaugural edition of the Odisha Startup Carnival Awards, recognizing the outstanding achievements of startups that have made significant contributions to driving innovation and growth in the ecosystem.
In his address during the closing ceremony, Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, Former CMD of NALCO and Chairman of the Board of Advisors at AIC-NITF, urged the audience to continue nurturing and expanding Odisha’s entrepreneurial spirit. He emphasized the importance of sustained efforts to position Odisha as a national hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
