LN Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary to government, MSME, spoke with Dipti Ranjan Das of Orissa POST about start-up ecosystem in the state and what can be expected from the sector in the coming year. Excerpts from the interview:
# Odisha was recently awarded the “Top Performer” for developing a strong start-up ecosystem in the States Start-up Ranking-2018 released by DIPP. How did the state achieve the feat?
> Since the release of Start-up Policy 2016, Odisha has taken a number of steps to create and strengthen the start-up ecosystem in the state. These include creating a transparent one-stop online portal (startupodisha.gov.in) for start-ups, providing financial and incubation support, setting up a mentor network, and easing regulations to encourage start-up participation. With the state government’s vision to get Odisha among the top three start-up hubs in the country, this appreciation acknowledges the state government’s efforts and encourages us to keep the momentum on the road ahead.
# How does the state groom registered start-ups for the next stage?
> Under the Start-up Odisha initiative, the state has recognized 11 incubators with combined incubation space of over 4.2 lakh square feet. These incubators provide not just co-working space but also mentorship, seed funding and access to state-of-the-art research and development facilities. We have also created a Mentors’ Network with over 110 mentors across various sectors to provide guidance to start-ups. We have also coordinated with various stakeholders for the launch of Bhubaneswar Angels. It is already registered as a trust and will be launched soon.
# How has the implementation of the Start-Up Policy mission supporting 1,000 start-ups progressed?
> Odisha has recognised 334 start-ups on an average of 18 a month. Of these, 107 are led by women entrepreneurs. At the same time, Start-up Odisha has recognized 12 nodal institutions and 11 incubators to support the start-up ecosystem. With this rate of growth, we are confident of achieving the goal of registering 1,000 startups by 2020.
# What is the state doing to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship among youth?
> With the view to promote entrepreneurship among youth, during the current financial year, 500 Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs) are being conducted across the state. An online Learning and Development (L&D) programme is also available on the Start-up Odisha website for the benefit of youth.
Besides, Start-up Odisha has set up entrepreneurship cum innovation cells across 54 academic institutions in the state to inculcate and promote the culture of entrepreneurship among students. In partnership with Start-up India, Start-up Odisha Yatra was conducted in early 2018, covering over 10,000 students across 50 institutions spanning over 16 districts of the state. The state is planning to conduct the second edition of Start-up Odisha Yatra in February 2019 to cover the remaining districts with a view to scout innovations and promote entrepreneurship.
# What kind of financial assistance does the state provide to start ups at various stages?
> Start-up Odisha provides a monthly allowance grant of Rs 20,000 for a year to start-ups at early stage to cover utility expenses. After the start-up’s proof of concept has been validated, a product development and marketing grant up to Rs 15 lakh is admissible for eligible start-ups. Start-ups can also apply for need-based assistance and subsidised incubation.
# What is the state doing to encourage women entrepreneurs?
> The state government has recently amended its Start-up Policy to facilitate at least 33 per cent of the start-ups in the state to be led by women. It provides an incremental financial assistance to women-led start-ups — monthly allowance of Rs 22,000 and product development and marketing grant up to Rs 16 lakh. In partnership with Department of Women and Child Development, Start-up Odisha is trying to create a favourable ecosystem for women-led start-ups.
# What plans have been drawn up to expand the footprint of the start-up ecosystem to the remotest corners of the state?
We have requested PSUs to set up incubation centres in different parts of the state. Besides, start-up facilitation centres are proposed to be set up at District Industries Centres to facilitate start-ups and to encourage innovation at the grass-roots level.
Dipti Ranjan Das, OP