Tag: Goa innovation

EduConnect

From a Goan Garage to a National Award: How Bodhami is Redefining Career Guidance in India

Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji, Goa – July 2025

In a landmark achievement for Goa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Bodhami, an AI-powered career guidance and skilling platform, has been selected among India’s Top 30 Startups by Startup India – DPIIT, from a pool of over 200,000 startups, and awarded the National Startup Award for Rural Impact in the Access to Open Education category.

This makes Bodhami the first and only Goan startup to receive such a distinction at the national level.

🚀 Humble Roots, Bold Vision

Founded in 2018 in a small garage by Damodar Pai Patnekar, an ex-Wipro digital leader, along with IIT–IIM alumnus Ashutosh Sankar and tech architect Aarthy Vasan, Bodhami set out with a mission: to make career guidance and employability accessible, personalised, and affordable—especially for rural and underserved populations.

Damodar’s personal “trigger point” came after 15 years in corporate leadership roles when he realised that over 70% of working professionals were unhappy, and more than 55% of fresh graduates were unemployable. The problem, he believed, began with a lack of career awareness at the right time—typically classes 10 and 12.

“We asked ourselves: What if students could receive truly personalised guidance early on? What if AI could map their strengths to careers, and then help them upskill accordingly?” says Damodar.

🧠 Technology with a Purpose

Bodhami’s platform uses AI and real-world professional data to generate career paths, skill gap assessments, and learning recommendations tailored to individual users. Unlike generic counselling, Bodhami focuses on contextual, data-backed insights.

From career discovery and scholarships to corporate preparedness and job placement, Bodhami addresses the full spectrum of career building.

🌎 National & Global Impact

With its HQ in Goa and operations in over 350 Indian cities and 9 countries, Bodhami has:

  • Empowered 100,000+ students and professionals
  • Conducted 300–400 sessions yearly across India
  • Trained 700+ teachers on career counselling using its AI tool
  • Conducted state-wide career programs across 250+ schools in Goa
  • Delivered over 3,000 scholarships to underprivileged youth

It also partnered with Goa State Innovation Council (GSInC) to launch Innovation Test, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state.

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Bodhami’s recognitions include:

  • National Startup Award – Rural Impact (Open Education)
  • SKOCH Award for rural development
  • Tally MSME Champions of Change
  • IT Educator Award – Govt. of Goa
  • Selected for India–Sweden Innovation Day, VivaTech Paris, SCO Startup Showcase, and INFINITY – Indo-French startup exchange

Recognised by Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA) and IAAP

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Powered by People

Bodhami is built by a lean core team of 10 professionals working remotely, and supported by:

  • 5,000+ certified counsellors
  • 200+ franchise partners
  • 100+ global affiliates

Together, this ecosystem ensures that career guidance reaches even the remotest students in India.

🌱 A Message for Future Entrepreneurs

“If someone from a remote Goan village can build a national award-winning platform, then anyone with commitment and passion can do it,” Damodar shares.
“Entrepreneurship teaches what textbooks can’t—resilience, empathy, and purpose.”

Bodhami’s journey is more than a startup story—it’s a movement for a better future, where every student has the guidance and tools to build a career they love.

📍 Headquartered in Goa
🏆 India’s Top 30 Startups – Startup India
🌍 Reach: 350+ cities | 9 countries
🎯 Mission: Empower 10 million lives in 5 years

TechPulse

Goa Sets Sail with First Private Solar-Powered Boat — M.V. LRAJ GREEN Solution Inaugurated by CM Dr. Pramod Sawant

allycaralgoa

Panaji, Goa – In a proud moment for Goa’s green transformation and tourism innovation, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the state’s first private solar-powered passenger/cruise boat, M.V. LRAJ GREEN Solution, at a formal ceremony attended by top government officials and dignitaries.

The event was graced by Union Minister Shripad Naik, MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar, and several other officials and stakeholders from Goa’s sustainability and tourism sectors.

A First-of-Its-Kind in Goa

The M.V. LRAJ GREEN Solution is the first fully solar-powered private boat in Goa. Designed for passenger cruises and eco-friendly tourism, the boat operates solely on solar energy, eliminating the need for diesel and reducing carbon emissions. The launch is a symbol of Goa’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable tourism practices.

Chief Minister’s Statement

During the launch, CM Dr. Pramod Sawant remarked,

“Goa is not just India’s favorite tourist destination — it is also emerging as a leader in green tourism and clean energy adoption. The LRAJ GREEN Solution is a great example of what innovation and commitment to the environment can achieve.”

Why This Matters

This solar-powered boat opens the door to eco-tourism ventures in Goa that are cleaner, quieter, and more environmentally responsible. It sets a precedent for the future of transport and tourism in the coastal state, balancing economic growth with ecological responsibility.

What’s Next?

The success of the M.V. LRAJ GREEN Solution could inspire more private and public sector players to adopt similar sustainable innovations. With Goa’s natural beauty and growing tourist footfall, solar boats offer a perfect intersection of green tech and economic opportunity.

This is more than a launch — it’s a leap toward Goa’s green future.

TechPulse

Goa Tech Meet Showcases Rising Momentum as Major Tech Companies Set Sights on Goa

allycaralgoa

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.