Tag: Goa Government Initiatives

TechPulse

Goa Building Strong Startup Ecosystem with Capital, Mentorship and Market Access: Minister Rohan Khaunte

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, February 12, 2026:
The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, through the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC), officially launched the Goa Startup Accelerator (GSA) Programme on Wednesday. The initiative aims to provide structured mentorship, market access, investment opportunities and growth support to startups across the state.


The launch event, held at Novotel, Panaji, brought together startups, ecosystem enablers, industry leaders and government officials.

The event was attended by Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Tourism and Printing & Stationery; Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C; Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C; and D.S. Prashant, CEO, Startup & IT Promotion Cell.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Rohan Khaunte said Goa is steadily emerging as a strong startup destination.

“Today, Goa is not just known for its quality of life, but for its forward-looking policies and a growing startup ecosystem of 734 DPIIT-registered startups, nearly half of which are women-led. Through the Goa Startup Policy 2025 and its 12 comprehensive schemes, along with initiatives like the Goa Accelerator Program and the Goa Open Innovation Challenge, we are creating an environment where startups have access to capital, mentorship, skills, infrastructure and real market opportunities. The Government is committed to providing every possible resource and support,” he said.

The Goa Startup Accelerator Programme is a structured five-month initiative running from February to June 2026. It will culminate in a Demo Day where participating startups will showcase their progress and innovations.

The event began with an orientation session for startups registered under the programme. Participants were briefed on the structure and roadmap of the accelerator. Startups also pitched their ideas to experts and interacted with mentors and fellow entrepreneurs.

Winners of the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 were felicitated during the event. In the startup category, SOLO Network, Cidroy Technologies LLP and So-AIR were honoured. In the student category, Suraj Vishwakarma and team from Padre Conceição College of Engineering, Verna, and Dattaprasad Narendra Prabhu and team from Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda, were recognised. The Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 Report was also released by the Minister.

Winners of the MedTech Hackathon, organised by the National Association of Palliative Care for AYUSH & Integrative Medicine (NAPCAIM) in collaboration with DITE&C, were also awarded. The winning teams included Team Biomade, Team My Pallo Friend and Team Kindred Tech.

The programme additionally recognised several government and ecosystem enablers for their contribution to Goa’s growing innovation landscape.

Through forward-looking policies, targeted schemes and collaborative platforms, DITE&C continues to strengthen Goa’s innovation-driven economy and support startups at every stage of growth.

Business

Mining-Affected Borrowers in Goa Urged to Be Given Lenient Treatment by Banks

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Speaking at a function organised by a prominent bank, Chandrakant Gawas, Chair of the GCCI Logistics Committee, urged financial institutions to take a lenient and supportive view of borrowers affected by the prolonged downturn in Goa’s mining sector. Highlighting the gradual revival of mining operations, he stressed the need for banks to rework stressed assets, restructure loans, and consider fresh contracts to aid the sector’s recovery.


Gawas noted that mining plays a significant role in Goa’s economy and that years of halted operations have severely impacted borrowers linked to the sector. With mining activity resuming, he said it was an opportune moment for lenders to revisit stressed accounts and adopt solutions that benefit both borrowers and financial institutions.

According to available data, four mining blocks are currently operational in Goa, with iron ore production expected to cross 10 million tonnes in the current financial year. The mining sector has an estimated ₹5,000 crore worth of loans classified as stressed assets, affecting nearly 1,500 borrowers who continue to face repayment challenges due to the earlier downturn.

He also acknowledged the proactive efforts of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant in supporting mining-affected borrowers. Gawas noted that the Government of Goa has rolled out several relief measures aimed at easing financial distress and reviving livelihoods in mining-dependent regions.

These measures include the extension of the debt relief scheme with a 35 per cent loan subsidy, full waiver of interest, and partial waiver of principal amounts—up to 40 per cent for truck owners and 30 per cent for barge owners. Financial assistance amounting to ₹147.73 crore has been provided to 6,999 truck owners, while ₹20.96 crore has been extended to 2,000 mining-affected workers. Additionally, mining leases are being made operational in phases to enable employment revival by 2026, and District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds are being utilised for infrastructure development, water supply, and desilting of agricultural land in mining-affected areas.

Emphasising a collaborative approach, Gawas urged banks to avoid coercive recovery measures and instead focus on sustainable solutions. He appealed to lenders to rework stressed assets with flexible repayment terms, restructure loans based on fresh contracts and production forecasts, avoid liquidation of pledged assets where possible, and adopt a lenient outlook aimed at long-term recovery. He also called for greater focus on supporting borrowers in mining-dependent rural areas.

The appeal, he said, is intended to foster cooperation between banks, borrowers, and the government, ensuring that the revival of mining translates into broader economic recovery for Goa.

Events in Goa

7th Adivasi Vidhyarthi Sammelan Organised at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Minister for Tribal Welfare, Dr. Ramesh Tawadkar, attended the day-long 7th Adivasi Vidhyarthi Sammelan, organised by the Directorate of Tribal Welfare, at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.


The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Director of Sports Dr. Ajay Gaude, Director of Tribal Welfare Nilesh Dhiagodkar, Chairman of the Goa State Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation Ltd. Vasudev Gaunkar, and President of the North Goa Zilla Panchayat Dhaku Madkaikar, along with other officials and representatives.

The Sammelan focused on motivating tribal students, highlighting educational opportunities, and reinforcing the government’s commitment towards the academic, social, and overall development of students from tribal communities.

The programme served as a platform for interaction between students and policymakers, aiming to strengthen awareness about welfare schemes and initiatives designed for the upliftment of Scheduled Tribe students in Goa.

#AllycaralFeature 👒

Goa Marks National Startup Day 2025 with a Focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship

allycaralgoa

Panjim, January 17, 2025: On National Startup Day 2025, the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics, and Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, organized an event at Fortune Miramar, Panjim. The event was attended by dignitaries, including Shri Prasanna Acharya, IAS, Director of the Department of IT, Electronics, and Communications; Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director of the Department of ITE&C; Shri Nijanand Vasta, Deputy Director (IT); Ms. Priyatama Patil, Assistant Director (IT); Shri Neville Noronha, OSD to the Minister of IT, Electronics & Communications; and Shri D. S. Prashant, CEO of the Startup and IT Promotion Cell. Entrepreneurs, innovators, mentors, and stakeholders from Goa’s startup ecosystem gathered to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and explore collaboration opportunities.

The event began with a presentation by Mr. D.S. Prashant, CEO of the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, highlighting Goa’s progress in the startup sector. He shared that the state has 570 DPIIT-recognized startups, 255 SITPC-certified startups, and 270 startups led by women directors, with 40% in early transaction or scaling stages. Goa’s startups have raised INR 1300 crore in private funding and received INR 15 crore in government grants (Central and State). Mr. Prashant also outlined the objectives of the Goa Startup Policy 2024, which aims to establish Goa as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, with a goal to support 1,000 startups by 2027.

Speaking at the event, Shri Prasanna Acharya, IAS, Director of the Department of ITE&C, Government of Goa emphasized Goa’s future plans. “On this National Startup Day 2025, we reflect on the growth of Goa’s startup ecosystem and its role in creating opportunities. Our goals include generating 10,000 jobs for Goans and facilitating venture funding for at least 100 startups. With infrastructure that includes six incubators, over 15 co-working spaces, startup cafés, and venture studios, we are building an ecosystem that supports startups at every stage” he said.
The event featured workshops aimed at providing practical insights for startups. Ms. Namrata Chawla, Certified Business Coach and Founder of MindMines, led a session on early-stage product development and the concept of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). She focused on the importance of identifying and refining a single key feature that sets a product apart. She also shared her perspective on pricing, saying, “Do not charge for what the product is; charge for what the product will be.” Drawing from her psychology background, she explained how understanding human behavior can influence pricing strategies, customer engagement, and business decisions.

Another workshop on fundraising, conducted by Ms. Varsha Adusumilli, Co-founder of Kstart—a $10M structured seed fund anchored by Kalaari Capital—and former Founding Vice President of YourStory Media, provided a clear overview of funding options. Topics included finding the right angel investors, strategies for raising angel funding, understanding venture capital, and creating effective pitch decks. Participants gained insights into navigating the fundraising process.

The event also showcased innovative solutions by local entrepreneurs. Ms. Shivona Fernandes, Project Manager at SOLO Network, demonstrated an internship and mentor finder app, while Mr. Siddharth Goel, Co-founder of KYP Solutions, presented a skill assessment tool to help founders understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

National Startup Day 2025 showcased Goa’s potential as a startup hub by providing platforms for learning and equipping entrepreneurs with essential skills. Through workshops, product demos, and networking, the event reinforced Goa’s commitment to driving innovation, promoting digital transformation, and building a thriving ecosystem for startups and technology businesses.