Category: TechPulse

TechPulse

Goa Strengthens Startup Ecosystem with 10th Empowered Committee Meet Under Startup Policy 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communication (DITE&C), Government of Goa, convened the 10th Empowered Committee Meeting at the Conference Hall, Mantralaya, Porvorim, to review and evaluate applications under the Seed Capital Grant Scheme of the Goa Startup Policy 2025. The meeting marked another significant step in the state’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its startup ecosystem and promote innovation-driven entrepreneurship.

The committee was chaired by Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, and co-chaired by Shri Rohan Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for IT, Electronics and Communications. Senior government officials and industry leaders were present, including representatives from the Department of Industries, Directorate of Education, ITG, GCCI, Goa Technology Association and leading technology firms, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation process backed by policy, industry and academic perspectives.

The Seed Capital Grant Scheme, a flagship initiative under the Goa Startup Policy 2025, provides one-time financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh to startups that have developed a Minimum Viable Product. A total of 27 applications were received by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, which were scrutinised by an Expert Committee before being placed before the Empowered Committee. After detailed discussions and evaluations based on innovation, feasibility, scalability, revenue potential and long-term sustainability, 16 startups were shortlisted, of which eight were selected for funding.

The selected startups represent a wide spectrum of emerging sectors, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, construction technology, tourism discovery, digital accessibility, micro-task platforms and regional OTT content. Each of these ventures showcased solutions developed in Goa, reflecting the state’s growing capability to nurture homegrown innovation with national and global potential.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rohan Khaunte highlighted that the quality of ideas presented reaffirmed Goa’s position as an emerging startup destination in India. He emphasised that early-stage financial support through the Seed Capital Grant Scheme plays a crucial role in helping founders transition from ideas to scalable enterprises, while also reinforcing the government’s commitment to building a long-term innovation-friendly environment in the state.

In addition to startup funding, the meeting also focused on encouraging innovation at the academic level. Cheques of ₹50,000 each were presented to 10 student projects under the newly launched Campus Innovation Scheme. Five engineering colleges across Goa received funding for projects spanning advanced biomedical research, artificial intelligence applications, agriculture technology, drone-based security systems, assistive wearable devices and sustainable manufacturing solutions.

The growing participation in these schemes reflects Goa’s increasing appeal as a startup and innovation hub. Through initiatives like the Seed Capital Grant Scheme and Campus Innovation Scheme, the Government of Goa continues to invest in ideas, talent and technology, creating an enabling ecosystem where startups and young innovators can build, scale and succeed from Goa.

TechPulse

BSNL Begins 2026 with Nationwide Free VoWiFi Calling Service

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

State-owned telecom operator BSNL has kicked off 2026 by rolling out free Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) services across India, marking a significant step in improving connectivity for its users. The service allows customers to make voice calls and send messages over any stable WiFi network while retaining their existing mobile number, without the need for additional applications.

VoWiFi is particularly beneficial in areas with weak cellular signals, such as elevators, thick-walled buildings, basements and remote locations. The service seamlessly switches between WiFi and cellular networks, ensuring uninterrupted communication as users move in and out of network coverage zones.

The rollout aligns with BSNL’s broader modernisation strategy, which includes the expansion of its 4G network to nearly 97,000 sites nationwide. By enabling calls over WiFi, BSNL is also easing congestion on mobile towers while significantly enhancing indoor coverage and call quality.

With this move, BSNL aims to strengthen its competitive position against private telecom players like Jio and Airtel, both of whom already offer WiFi calling services. The initiative reflects BSNL’s focus on improving customer experience while leveraging existing broadband infrastructure.

Activating VoWiFi on BSNL is simple for most modern smartphones. Users with a BSNL 4G SIM can enable the feature directly through their phone settings, provided the device supports WiFi calling. Once activated, calls and messages automatically route through WiFi whenever available, switching back to the cellular network when WiFi is unavailable.

As BSNL continues to expand its network and introduce customer-friendly digital services, the nationwide VoWiFi rollout represents another step towards bridging connectivity gaps and strengthening reliable communication across urban and rural India.

TechPulse

Goa’s Transformative Tech Journey in 2025: Building India’s Creative Capital

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

In the land of golden shores and rising digital ambition, Goa is steadily carving its path toward becoming India’s Creative Capital and a thriving technology hub. The year 2025 proved to be a defining phase in this journey, with the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) leading a wave of innovation focused on connectivity, e-governance, infrastructure, skilling and startups.

Connectivity continued to form the backbone of Goa’s digital ambitions. The state significantly expanded its network of free public Wi-Fi to 135 hotspots across key public spaces, while the rollout of 4G and 5G towers gained momentum, ensuring faster and more reliable internet access for citizens, businesses and visitors. The Goa Broadband Network further strengthened this foundation by extending high-speed internet connectivity to 1,492 government offices, helping bridge the digital divide and enabling seamless digital service delivery.

E-governance witnessed major advancements, bringing government services closer to the people. The GoaOnline portal, offering 265 services across 41 departments, recorded over 11 lakh digital interactions in 2025, reflecting growing public trust in online service delivery. Complementing this, the Gramin Mitra Yojana, implemented through Common Service Centres, ensured essential digital services reached remote and rural communities, reinforcing transparent and people-centric governance.

Skilling emerged as a core focus area as Goa prepared its citizens for the future digital economy. The launch of the Goa AI Mission 2027 marked a transformative step, built on four pillars of skilling, startups and companies, capital, and infrastructure. An early milestone under this mission was the AI for Governance programme conducted in collaboration with the IndiaAI Mission, Google and the World Bank, which sensitised government officials to the practical use of artificial intelligence in governance and service delivery.

Digital literacy initiatives gained further momentum through programmes such as the Mahila Digital Shashaktikaran Scheme, aimed at empowering women through computer education. The department also continued its commitment to inclusive education by distributing laptops to 111 meritorious SC and ST students under the Free Laptop Distribution Scheme for the academic year 2024–25.

On the infrastructure front, significant progress was made at the Electronics Manufacturing Centre in Tuem, Pernem, with plots allotted to companies including Zen Technologies Limited and Powerland Agro Tractors Pvt. Ltd., strengthening Goa’s electronics and manufacturing ecosystem. The state also explored emerging technologies such as blockchain, facilitating dialogue between industry and academia, while engaging with global firms and a high-level Norwegian delegation to strengthen international collaborations.

DITE&C showcased Goa’s digital vision at major national platforms such as the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 and the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi, highlighting the state’s technology initiatives and startup ecosystem. Goa’s startup landscape continued to flourish, with over 700 DPIIT-registered startups, including 328 women-led ventures. The revised Goa Startup Policy 2025 introduced 12 targeted schemes to support seed funding, mentorship, reimbursements and sustainable innovation.

Innovation challenges further energised the ecosystem, with the Goa Open Innovation Challenge attracting 557 participants who presented solutions to real-world governance and public service challenges. The department also signed key MoUs with Sarla Aviation Pvt. Ltd., the Digital India Bhashini Division and Maker’s Asylum, strengthening technology adoption, creative sectors and inclusive governance.

The launch of the #EmpoweredinGoa campaign encapsulated the spirit of 2025, celebrating an ecosystem where founders can innovate, students can skill up, women can lead, digital nomads can thrive and citizens can benefit from people-first governance. With high-speed connectivity, lifestyle advantages and improved infrastructure, Goa also emerged as a preferred destination for digital nomads and remote professionals.

As the state looks ahead to 2026, the groundwork laid in 2025 positions Goa for sustained growth and global recognition. With continued investments in digital infrastructure, innovation and skill development, Goa is well on its way to becoming one of India’s leading tech hubs while remaining inclusive, creative and community-driven.

TechPulse

Confident, Premium, Health-First: How India Upgraded Its Homes and Tech in 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Croma, India’s trusted omni-channel electronics retailer from the Tata Group, has released its Year-End Consumer Trends 2025, offering a comprehensive look at how Indian consumers upgraded their homes, lifestyles and technology choices over the past year. The findings reflect a decisive shift from price-led purchases to experience-driven, premium and health-conscious buying behaviour across Croma’s nationwide online and offline network.

Smartphones remained central to consumer upgrades, with strong year-on-year growth driven by aspirational trade-ups. One in three smartphones sold fell within the ₹20,000–30,000 premium segment, while nearly one in five devices belonged to the flagship or super-flagship category. Emerging price bands between ₹50,000 and ₹58,000 recorded growth of over 300 percent, highlighting consumers’ growing willingness to invest in advanced technology that blends performance, identity and long-term value. This trend reflects India’s increasingly digital-first mindset, fuelled by content creation, gaming and AI-powered camera experiences.

The computing category also saw a strong premium shift, with laptops recording double-digit growth led by AI-enabled and high-performance devices. Gaming laptops surged by over 25 percent, while ultra-thin non-gaming laptops doubled in sales as consumers sought sleek, portable designs without compromising on power. Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi emerged as key hubs driving this AI-first computing wave, signalling concentrated adoption of next-generation technology across India’s major metros.


Home entertainment witnessed a significant scale-up as Indian households embraced cinema-like experiences at home. Bengaluru led demand for 65-inch televisions, while Mumbai emerged as the top market for ultra-large screens of 75 inches and above. Gurugram stood out as the most future-ready city, recording the highest preference for 8K-ready televisions. Complementing this trend, audio entertainment surged, with Delhi NCR leading demand for immersive sound systems, reinforcing its reputation as a hub for social and in-home entertainment.

Cooling solutions remained resilient across regions, with Delhi and Mumbai nearly equal in overall air conditioner demand. A strong sustainability trend emerged as one in four ACs sold nationwide was a 5-star energy-efficient model, while in Delhi, one in three AC purchases fell into this category. Smart ACs accounted for 32 percent of total AC sales, and North India saw rising demand for all-season ACs that function as heaters while consuming significantly less electricity.

Big-ticket home appliances continued their move up the value curve, with front-load washing machines registering strong double-digit growth led by Bengaluru and Pune. In refrigerators, Delhi topped sales for side-by-side door models, followed by Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, reflecting demand for larger, high-capacity appliances that support evolving lifestyles.

Health-focused appliances saw notable growth throughout 2025. Air fryer sales rose by nearly 38 percent year-on-year, led by Mumbai, signalling a shift toward healthier cooking habits. Air purifiers, once concentrated in Delhi-NCR, gained traction in Mumbai and Bengaluru, driven by heightened awareness of air quality and indoor health. Water purifiers also recorded strong demand, with Bengaluru emerging as the largest market, followed by Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad, underscoring rising concern around safe drinking water and long-term wellness.

Smart convenience emerged as the fastest-growing trend, with sales of automated and robotic appliances nearly doubling during the year. Bengaluru led the adoption of robotic solutions, positioning itself as India’s emerging robotics capital.

Commenting on the trends, a spokesperson at Infiniti Retail Ltd. noted that Indian consumers are increasingly confident, informed and willing to invest in technology that delivers everyday value, efficiency and improved quality of life. From smartphones and screens to kitchens and cooling, 2025 marked a clear transition toward premium, smart and health-first living across Indian homes.

TechPulse

How Goa Is Harnessing Technology to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

allycaralgoa

Goa is rapidly embracing digital transformation, with women across the state emerging as entrepreneurs, innovators, and digital contributors. From grassroots digital literacy initiatives to advanced technology training and startup incentives, the Government of Goa is expanding economic opportunities for women across both rural and urban landscapes.

Under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, is implementing a range of programmes designed to unlock women’s potential through technology, skills development, and entrepreneurship.

Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana

A flagship initiative, the Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana aims to bridge the digital divide, particularly for women in rural and underserved areas. The scheme provides hands-on training in the use of digital devices, online platforms, and essential digital services.

Open to Goan women aged 18 and above with a minimum of 15 years of residency in the state, the programme is delivered through empanelled Information Technology Knowledge Centres (ITKCs), Common Service Centres (CSCs), and Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs). Training sessions are conducted in accessible locations such as panchayat halls and community centres, ensuring last-mile reach.

By bringing digital literacy directly to villages, the initiative is improving employability, enhancing digital confidence, and enabling women to access wider markets and online opportunities.

From Villages to Skies: Women in Drone Technology

Goa has also introduced drone pilot training for women under the national Drone Didi scheme. Women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) receive specialised training in drone operations and maintenance, opening pathways in agriculture, logistics, disaster management, and environmental monitoring.

For many rural women, this initiative marks a transition from technology users to technology-driven service providers, creating new income streams and fostering entrepreneurship within local communities.

Women-Focused Startup Support under Goa Startup Policy 2025

Under the Goa Startup Policy 2025, the Startup and IT Promotion Cell has launched targeted mentoring and funding support for women-led startups. Women founders working in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Drones, Robotics, AR/VR, AVGC, and 3D printing are eligible for a monthly allowance of ₹20,000 for up to 12 months.

This one-time financial assistance supports startups at the ideation, prototyping, validation, or early traction stages, ensuring access to capital, mentorship, and structured guidance during the critical early phase of their entrepreneurial journey.

Building a Gender-Inclusive Digital Economy

From digital literacy at the village level to advanced drone training and startup funding, Goa’s initiatives are creating a gender-inclusive ecosystem where women actively participate in both traditional and emerging sectors.

As digital tools reach remote areas and technology-led enterprises continue to grow, women are becoming key contributors to Goa’s evolving innovation and economic landscape, reinforcing the state’s vision of inclusive and sustainable growth.