Synopsis
On April 6, 2023, a significant milestone was reached as 45 startups showcased the vital contributions of tribal entrepreneurs to India’s startup ecosystem, according to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The event highlighted innovation and community-driven initiatives.Key Takeaways
- 45 startups showcased tribal entrepreneurship.
- Two startups received national recognition.
- OurGuest Travels won the D2C Award.
- Ngurie Organic earned the AgriTech Award.
- Workshops and exposure visits enriched participants.
New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) A total of 45 startups have highlighted the increasing significance of tribal entrepreneurs within India’s startup ecosystem, representing a crucial step towards empowering tribal talent, as stated by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on Sunday.
During the recently concluded ‘Startup Mahakumbh’ event, two tribally-led startups, nurtured at IIM Kolkata and IIT Guwahati, received esteemed national accolades from Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry.
Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram praised the winning startups for their remarkable innovation and commitment to community-oriented development.
He commended all participating entrepreneurs for embodying the aspirations and capabilities of tribal India on a national stage.
Based in Gangtok, OurGuest Travels was awarded the D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) Award. As the first Online Travel Aggregator (OTA) from the northeast, it provides a carefully curated selection of homestays, farmstays, resorts, and guided experiences throughout Sikkim, North Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
With over 600 homestays and 50+ guides, the platform has catered to more than 6,000 travellers, supporting rural livelihoods and promoting eco-tourism. This recognition is a significant achievement under the Ministry’s 100-day agenda to establish a robust tribal startup ecosystem.
Incubated at IIT Guwahati, Ngurie Organic earned the AgriTech Award for its innovative contributions to sustainable agriculture. The startup employs data-driven research, precision agriculture, and blockchain technology to provide farmers with effective solutions.
The event also included an impactful panel discussion titled "Investing in Bharat: Unlocking Startup Potential Beyond the Metro," featuring thought leaders from India’s startup and investment sectors. Additionally, faculty from IIT Delhi facilitated a design thinking workshop, assisting tribal startups in refining and scaling their business concepts.
The three-day program culminated in the awarding of participation certificates to 45 tribal startup founders, 100 EMRS (Eklavya Model Residential School) students, and 150 tribal students receiving scholarships for higher education.
Participants also engaged in a bootcamp at IIT Delhi and took part in exposure visits throughout the startup ecosystem during the 'Startup Mahakumbh' event.
