About Startup Mela
Startup Mela by the Startup Odisha is a two-day startup promotion and networking event, organized at O-HUB, the prime incubation center for startups, established by the Govt of Odisha.
The Startup Exhibition develops new policies and programs for fostering innovation in different sectors of the economy and provides a platform and collaboration
In Odisha it was inaugurated by Pratap Keshari Deb, minister of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises on Sunday in the presence of Saswath Mishra, principal secretary of the MSME Department, Government of Odisha, and Dr. Omkar Rai, executive chairman (EC) of Startup Odisha.
Startup Mela 2023
Startup Mela 2023, is another step that we have taken to achieve that vision where students will be advised as to how to access the ecosystem and convert their ideas into products. We have also for the first time come up with the concept of brand ambassadors from carefully chosen academic institutions.
Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha said, “I am happy that Startup Odisha has been recognized by the Government of India as a top performer. Startup Mela is a great platform that will motivate our students, innovators, and start-ups to demonstrate Odisha’s entrepreneurial zeal, and will inspire the start-up culture at the grassroots and institute levels. I wish the Startup Mela all success.”
Deb’s opinion on StartUp Mela
The mindset of the community should change. We want entrepreneurs in Odisha. and need to start manufacturing to compete at the national level. and we cannot remain in a service state.
The initiative aimed to enhance the ecosystem by orienting the youth toward start-ups and entrepreneurship. On the first day, the program hosted a series of interactive sessions for students with investors.
Additionally, it had a hackathon, roundtable discussion with incubators, start-up quiz for the students, a masterclass on legal and intellectual property compliance, and an event called ‘Ask Subroto Bagchi’–where, Subroto Bagchi, chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority, interacted with the students and shared some of his business insights.
The hosts of the event also announced that the state would unveil its new start-up policy soon. Additionally, it will establish Mother Fablab to imbibe maker culture.