Panaji, Goa | October 9, 2026: The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Ground Floor Labs and NomadGao have joined hands to promote the practical adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among Goa’s small businesses through a free, three-week AI Residency in Mandrem from October 13 to October 29, 2026.
The initiative is being organised in partnership with the Startup and IT Promotion Cell (SITPC), Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Government of Goa, and is hosted as part of Edge City India.
The residency aims to bridge the gap between emerging AI technologies and their practical application in everyday business operations. It will bring together 10–15 AI builders and researchers to work alongside 50–100 local business owners, helping them identify business challenges and develop solutions tailored to their individual needs.
The programme will focus on practical applications of AI across several business functions, including operations, analytics, marketing, social media management and customer communication. Rather than concentrating primarily on theory, the residency will emphasise hands-on learning and the creation of usable solutions for participating businesses.
Practical AI Solutions for Local Entrepreneurs
The initiative is designed to make AI accessible to entrepreneurs who may have little or no prior experience with the technology. Business owners will be able to work directly with AI practitioners to explore how emerging tools can address specific operational challenges and improve everyday business processes.
The programme includes six two-hour hands-on sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Participants will also have access to open build hours and dedicated support from an AI builder throughout the three-week residency.
Businesses will retain ownership of the solutions developed for them and receive a written guide to help them continue using the solutions after the programme concludes.
Participation is free of charge, and the programme will be conducted in English, Konkani, Hindi and Marathi, making it accessible to entrepreneurs from different linguistic backgrounds.
GCCI Highlights AI Opportunities for MSMEs
Speaking about the initiative, Ambika Dhakhenkar, Deputy Director, GCCI, said Artificial Intelligence offers significant opportunities for businesses to improve productivity, strengthen customer engagement and enhance competitiveness. However, she noted that many small businesses need support in understanding how to apply these technologies to their specific requirements.
She said the initiative brings AI practitioners directly alongside entrepreneurs to develop practical solutions to real business problems.
Dhakhenkar further emphasised that AI adoption must extend beyond large corporations and technology companies to include Goa’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), family-run enterprises and traditional businesses.
Making technology accessible, relevant and easy to use, she noted, will be essential to building a more resilient and future-ready business ecosystem.
Building a Long-Term AI Support Ecosystem
The partnership also aims to extend beyond the immediate residency. GCCI, Ground Floor Labs and NomadGao intend to continue AI education initiatives for Goan businesses after the programme concludes.
Ground Floor Labs, a civic research and development lab, works directly with local businesses to understand their challenges, support technology adoption and document lessons from these engagements. The Goa residency follows a pilot programme conducted in June 2026 in Healdsburg, California, in collaboration with the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce.
NomadGao, a Goa-based coliving and coworking community for remote workers and digital nomads, connects the initiative with a wider network of professionals and technology practitioners.
The residency will be hosted within Edge City India, a three-week pop-up village in Mandrem bringing together founders, researchers, scientists and creators working across technology, science and culture.
Registration and Contact Details
The AI Residency is open to local businesses interested in exploring practical applications of Artificial Intelligence. Seats are limited, and participation is free.
Interested entrepreneurs can contact GCCI for registration and further information:
- Email: goachamber@goachamber.org
- Office WhatsApp: +91 9764161205
By bringing entrepreneurs and AI practitioners together, the initiative seeks to help Goa’s small businesses move from learning about Artificial Intelligence to applying it in meaningful, practical ways.
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