Tag: Goa Startup Policy 2025

TechPulse

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

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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.

TechPulse

How Goa Is Harnessing Technology to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

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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.

TechPulse

Goa Launches #EmpoweredInGoa Campaign to Celebrate Digital Empowerment and Innovation

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Goa’s journey toward becoming a digitally empowered and innovation-driven state has taken another significant leap with the launch of the #EmpoweredInGoa campaign by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C).

As the State evolves beyond its traditional image as a tourist destination, this new campaign celebrates how technology, entrepreneurship, and inclusion are transforming lives and creating opportunities for every Goan.

Speaking about the campaign, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Shri Rohan Khaunte, said, “The biggest strength of Goa lies in its people. With #EmpoweredInGoa, we are not just highlighting the digital advancements the State is undertaking, but we are creating opportunities that allow every citizen to participate in the State’s digital journey. This campaign is about celebrating how people are using technology to build, learn and create, and we want every Goan to be part of this transformation and shape the State’s future together.”

The #EmpoweredInGoa movement showcases how innovation and connectivity are redefining empowerment—through access to public services, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and inclusivity. From enabling new businesses and startups to expanding e-governance and upskilling citizens, Goa is positioning itself as a state where digital progress meets human potential.

The DITE&C has implemented several initiatives that reflect this vision. The Har Ghar Fibre project is bringing high-speed internet to every household, while the Gramin Mitra program ensures senior citizens can access government schemes conveniently. Free WiFi hotspots and the IT Knowledge Centres are equipping citizens with essential digital skills.

Highlighting the campaign’s inclusive focus, Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, said, “Empowerment begins with access to technology, opportunities and knowledge, and our department is committed to delivering this. Through initiatives like the Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana (MDSY), IT Knowledge Centres, and Free Laptop Distribution Scheme for Meritorious SC/ST Students, we are ensuring digital literacy reaches even the remotest corners of Goa.”

Goa’s dynamic startup ecosystem also plays a central role in this empowerment narrative. Guided by the Goa Startup Policy 2025, founders are benefitting from infrastructure, seed funding, and mentoring support. Programs like the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 and the upcoming Goa Startup Accelerator, a five-month program, are further strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship in the state.

As Goa continues to embrace digital transformation, the #EmpoweredInGoa campaign captures the essence of this journey—where technology is a bridge to opportunity, and empowerment is both inclusive and participatory. The initiative positions Goa as India’s Creative Capital, a place where progress is driven by people, powered by technology, and shaped by shared purpose.