Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Tourism, Printing & Stationery, Government of Goa, inaugurated the Goa Pavilion at the AI Impact Expo held at Bharat Mandapam on February 18, 2026, ahead of the India AI Impact Summit scheduled for February 19-20.
The AI Impact Expo serves as an experiential platform bringing together international, state, enterprise and startup pavilions to showcase cutting-edge innovations and transformative AI solutions. The Goa Pavilion highlights the state’s expanding footprint in Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, while also featuring five promising startups — DivvyUp and Grow, Frover Labs Pvt. Ltd., Neural Kissan, Kverty and Phosic India Pvt. Ltd.
The inauguration took place in the presence of Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS, Secretary, ITE&C, and Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C, along with other senior officials.
Addressing the gathering, Rohan Khaunte emphasised Goa’s strategic roadmap under the Goa AI Mission 2027, which focuses on AI skilling, citizen-centric service delivery and the establishment of a dedicated AI Skilling Centre and Centre of Excellence to promote research and capacity building. He also underlined the importance of strengthening industry-academia partnerships and nurturing the startup ecosystem to position Goa as a destination where innovation thrives alongside quality of life.
During his visit, the Minister interacted with startup founders at the pavilion and held discussions with representatives from National Association of Software and Service Companies, central government bodies and industry leaders to explore collaboration avenues and attract investment opportunities for the state.
Goa’s participation at the international-level summit reflects its commitment to accelerating digital transformation and reinforcing its emergence as a preferred hub for technology innovation and AI-driven enterprises, while also strengthening its appeal as a global Digital Nomad destination.
Spain has introduced a more accessible and streamlined pathway for Indian professionals, freelancers, and remote workers to live and work in the country for up to five years, marking a significant opportunity for global career mobility and lifestyle growth.
Through updates to its Digital Nomad Visa and recent labour reforms, eligible Indian applicants can now obtain an initial residency permit of up to three years, which can be extended to a total of five years. The move aligns with Spain’s broader strategy to attract global talent and boost innovation across key sectors.
The visa is specifically aimed at highly-skilled professionals, freelancers, and remote employees who work for companies or clients outside Spain. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum monthly income of €2,760, ensuring financial stability while living in the country.
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa offers several advantages, including legal residency, access to healthcare, family reunification options, and the ability to work remotely while enjoying Spain’s high quality of life. With its vibrant cities, strong digital infrastructure, rich culture, and favourable climate, Spain is emerging as one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for remote professionals.
For Indian talent seeking long-term international exposure, professional growth, and a balanced lifestyle, the new visa pathway presents a compelling opportunity to build careers while living in one of Europe’s most dynamic countries.
In a bold and unconventional move, Indian-origin tech entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan has bought a private island near Singapore and transformed it into “The Network School”—a living, learning, and building space tailored for today’s digital pioneers.
Srinivasan, known for his futurist ideas and as a former CTO of Coinbase and General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, has long championed decentralized governance and startup societies through his book The Network State. With “The Network School,” he’s bringing those philosophies to life—literally—on an island.
Designed as a real-world prototype of a “Network State,” the island functions as a blended innovation campus and intentional community. It offers:
Start-Up Studios for builders and hackers
Remote Work Retreats for digital nomads and coders
Biohacking & Wellness Zones for fitness enthusiasts and longevity seekers
Education Programs for alternative thinkers and self-learners
The island emphasizes physical and digital infrastructure designed to nurture deep work, collaboration, and personal growth. From high-speed satellite internet to calisthenics rings under palm trees, every detail is curated to support a balanced high-performance lifestyle.
The venture has drawn global attention—not just from the startup world but also from futurists, educators, and urban planners eager to see how such an environment could redefine how we live, learn, and create.
Srinivasan calls it a “prototype of a parallel society”—and possibly a glimpse into what future decentralized nations might look like.
As global debates around remote work, education reform, and digital citizenship heat up, The Network School island stands as a bold, tangible experiment in living differently.
Panaji, May 27, 2025: With India’s innovation economy entering a new phase of growth, Goa took a step forward with “Goa Tech Meet: The Future in Focus” — a high-level industry interaction hosted by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (ITE&C), Government of Goa, under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister of IT, Electronics & Communications, Government of Goa, Shri. Rohan A. Khaunte.
Held at Miramar, Panaji, the exclusive meet brought together leading founders, tech entrepreneurs, and creative industry stakeholders for an open dialogue with the government on shaping Goa’s trajectory as a thriving hub for digital innovation, electronics manufacturing, and creative technology.
Also present were Shri Pramival Abhishek (IAS), Managing Director of Goa Industrial Development Corporation; Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C; Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director of DITE&C; Shri Nijanand Vasta, Deputy Director of DITE&C; Smt. Priyatama Patil, Assistant Director of DITE&C; Shri Neville Noronha, OSD to the Hon’ble Minister for ITE&C; and Shri D. S. Prashant, CEO of the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC).
At the heart of the discussion was the Government’s focused strategy to position Goa as India’s Creative Capital—a unique confluence of technology, culture, quality of life, and entrepreneurship. The meet served as a platform to strengthen state-industry collaboration in emerging areas such as AI, Industry 4.0, sustainable tech, and design-led innovation. “We are not here to build events—we are here to build ecosystems. More forward-thinking companies are now choosing Goa as a place to build, innovate, and grow.
Our responsibility is to ensure that this momentum not only continues but scales meaningfully,” said Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, emphasizing the government’s focus on delivering results, not just policies.
The Government presented its multi-tiered approach to catalyze Goa’s digital transformation. Infrastructure is being strengthened through projects like the Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) at Tuem. In parallel, the state has rolled out upgraded Startup and IT Policies designed to support a more responsive, growth-oriented environment. Goa is also expanding its support framework for digital nomads and creative professionals through upcoming initiatives such as the Design Village. A strong emphasis has been placed on enhancing skilling, reskilling, and upskilling to ensure that the local workforce remains aligned with the needs of emerging technologies.
In his welcome address, Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, stated, “We are creating an enabling ecosystem—from the Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) to startup grants and co-working hubs. Today’s discussion is about turning potential into partnerships.”
Shri D. S. Prashant, CEO of SITPC, further added by outlining Goa’s evolving startup and innovation strategy, highlighting revised policies, incentive models, and infrastructure in the pipeline. “Goa’s vision for 2027 revolves around Infrastructure, Communication, and Training (ICT), while supporting next-gen ideas like the Design Village and digital nomad frameworks,” he said.
The event featured representation from companies such as CHALO, Quidich Innovation Labs, Persistent Systems, Turtlemint, Kilowott, Zimetrics Technologies, Infuse Consulting, Renevik Labs, McLaren/The Grit City, Visteon Corporation and Open Destinations, among others. Delegates also included leaders from creative and design-led firms like Coco Leni, The Nod Magazine, 101 Wakepark, and TM Talent Management. These companies reflected a growing interest in Goa as a viable alternative to traditional urban tech hubs, citing better quality of life, responsive governance, and a rising innovation ecosystem as key differentiators.
With industry feedback now integrated into policy refinement and infrastructure planning, the Goa Tech Meet has laid the foundation for deeper partnerships. The Department plans to organize follow-up engagements focused on talent, market access, and scaling Goa-based startups. “We are designing Goa’s growth story with clarity and collaboration,” the Hon’ble Minister added. “This is about outcomes — not optics. Our goal is to align industry needs with state vision and to build a Goa that’s ready for the future.”
“Goa Tech Meet: The Future in Focus” reinforced Goa’s emergence as a destination where innovation, collaboration, and creativity intersect. With strong institutional support, responsive policy, and a thriving quality of life, Goa is ready to welcome the next wave of startups, technologists, and investors looking to build what’s next.
