45 Startups Showcase the Rise of Tribal Entrepreneurship in India

Synopsis

On April 6, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs reported that 45 startups have highlighted the significant role of tribal entrepreneurs in India's startup ecosystem, marking an important milestone in tribal empowerment during the 'Startup Mahakumbh' event.

Key Takeaways

45 startups showcased tribal entrepreneurial talent.
OurGuest Travels won the D2C Award for travel innovation.
Ngurie Organic received the AgriTech Award for sustainable agriculture.
Innovative workshops guided tribal startups at IIT Delhi.
Participation certificates awarded to 295 students and founders.

New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) A minimum of 45 startups have highlighted the increasing significance of tribal entrepreneurs within India’s startup landscape — representing a crucial achievement in empowering tribal talent, according to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on Sunday.

At the recent ‘Startup Mahakumbh’ event, two tribal-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 successful startups for their outstanding innovation and commitment to community-led development.

He applauded all participating entrepreneurs for embodying the aspirations and capabilities of tribal India on a national stage.

Operating from Gangtok, OurGuest Travels was awarded the D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) Award. Being the first Online Travel Aggregator (OTA) from the northeast, it provides a carefully curated collection of homestays, farmstays, resorts, and guided experiences throughout Sikkim, North Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

With over 600 homestays and more than 50 guides, the platform has catered to over 6,000 travelers while supporting rural livelihoods and eco-tourism. This recognition is a significant milestone under the Ministry’s 100-day agenda aimed at establishing a robust tribal startup ecosystem.

Incubated at IIT Guwahati, Ngurie Organic earned the AgriTech Award for its groundbreaking work in sustainable agriculture. The startup utilizes data-driven research, precision agriculture, and blockchain-enabled transparency to empower farmers with solutions that:

The event included a high-impact 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 hosted a design thinking workshop, assisting tribal startups in refining and scaling their business concepts.

The three-day program concluded with the distribution of participation certificates to 45 tribal startup founders, 100 EMRS (Eklavya Model Residential School) students, and 150 tribal students receiving higher education scholarships.

Participants also engaged in a bootcamp at IIT Delhi and attended exposure visits throughout the startup ecosystem during the 'Startup Mahakumbh' event.