Tag: Goa startups

Events in Goa

NoMoZo 7.0 Turns Porvorim into a Living Showcase of Sustainable Innovation

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Transforming Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Marg into a vibrant, people-centric public space, the seventh edition of NoMoZo (No-Motor Zone) was held in Porvorim on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The annual initiative once again demonstrated how reduced vehicular movement, community participation and innovation can reimagine urban living in a more sustainable and inclusive way.

Organised under the leadership of Shri Rohan Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Tourism, Printing & Stationery and MLA of Porvorim, NoMoZo 7.0 brought together citizens, startups, students and institutions on a common platform. GTDC Chairman and MLA Saligao Shri Kedar J. Naik was also present at the event. Renowned actor Shri Manoj Bajpayee attended as the Chief Guest, adding further prominence to the occasion.

A key highlight of NoMoZo 7.0 was the strong focus on sustainability and responsible innovation. The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, set up an engaging stall that showcased the State’s vision for Regenerative Tourism. Through informative displays, the stall highlighted responsible travel practices aimed at creating positive social, cultural and environmental impacts while encouraging deeper engagement with Goa’s communities, heritage and natural ecosystems.

The Tourism Department’s presence also highlighted major cultural initiatives, including Carnaval and other new tourism offerings, along with a preview of the upcoming Shigmo festival—one of Goa’s most vibrant and deeply rooted cultural celebrations. This integrated approach reflected Goa Tourism’s commitment to sustainability, culture and community participation, positioning the State as a year-round, experience-driven destination.

Adding a cultural dimension to the event, a dedicated heritage zone showcased the work of local artisans, including traditional Goan earthen pots, offering visitors a glimpse into Goa’s living craft traditions and indigenous skills.

Innovation and entrepreneurship were at the heart of NoMoZo 7.0. The Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) curated a dedicated space for startups and student entrepreneurs to showcase cutting-edge solutions and emerging ideas.

Students participating under the Campus Innovation Scheme presented projects addressing real-world challenges through technology and sustainability. Don Bosco College of Engineering students showcased ‘Synapse-Connect: A Neuro-Muscular Signal Integration Framework’, focused on advanced human–machine interaction, and a sustainability-driven project on processing and testing recyclable materials for 3D printing applications.

From Agnel Institute of Technology and Design, the ‘Innovator’s Squad’ presented a smart jacket designed to assist visually impaired individuals with obstacle detection and navigation, while another team showcased AI Aaji, a voice assistant aimed at providing real-time updates and user support.

Several startups added further depth to the showcase. Sevaco presented a mobile application connecting busy individuals with verified students for everyday tasks. Burraa highlighted its Go-Out app that helps users discover and book curated experiences. Asier Solutions showcased STEM skill-building courses, while DigiWiz demonstrated its work in robotics, drone kits, IoT hardware and home automation.

NoMoZo 7.0 successfully highlighted how innovation, technology and entrepreneurship are driving Goa’s growth. The diverse exhibits and strong community participation reinforced the State’s emergence as a hub for sustainable, technology-driven and socially responsible solutions—demonstrating that when people reclaim public spaces, meaningful change follows.

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.

Events in Goa

FIERCE Markets Brings Goa’s Next Food Wave to Margao

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa’s growing foodpreneurship ecosystem is set to enter an exciting new chapter with the launch of FIERCE Markets in Margao. Envisioned as a community-driven marketplace, the initiative aims to provide emerging food entrepreneurs with a practical, low-risk platform to test concepts, build visibility and engage directly with consumers in a real-world setting.

An extension of the FIERCE Kitchens ecosystem, FIERCE Markets brings together home chefs, student chefs, professional chefs transitioning into entrepreneurship and early-stage food startups under one roof. The platform has been designed to address two of the biggest challenges faced by food businesses today — high capital investment and limited market access. By offering ready-to-use food trucks and carts equipped with commercial-grade kitchen infrastructure, the market significantly reduces entry barriers for aspiring entrepreneurs.

The initiative is supported by the Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts, Verna, in collaboration with the Atal Incubation Centre at Goa Institute of Management. Together, they aim to nurture culinary talent in Goa by offering not just space, but also mentorship, operational guidance and real-time customer feedback, allowing entrepreneurs to refine their offerings and business models.

Operating daily from 5 pm onwards on the Margao–Colva road at Mungul, FIERCE Markets has also been envisioned as a complete experiential destination for the public. The space features thoughtfully designed seating, warm ambient lighting, integrated sound systems and live entertainment on weekends, creating an inviting social hub for families, food lovers and tourists alike. Regular pop-ups by renowned chefs and food influencers further add to the energy of the marketplace.

At its core, FIERCE Markets celebrates collaboration, creativity and community. It creates an environment where culinary diversity thrives alongside entrepreneurship, allowing ideas to evolve organically while building sustainable food brands. With this launch, Margao positions itself at the heart of Goa’s next food wave, supporting a new generation of food entrepreneurs ready to make their mark.

TechPulse

Goa’s Department of ITE&C Screens New Startup Proposals Under Seed Fund Grant Scheme

allycaralgoa

Altinho, November 25, 2025: The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, convened the 10th Expert Committee Meeting to evaluate a fresh round of Startup Seed Capital applications under the Goa Startup Policy. The meeting was held at the department’s Conference Hall at Altinho–Panaji.

The expert committee reviewed proposals submitted by early-stage ventures from a wide range of innovation-led sectors including information technology, AI/ML, healthcare technology, edtech, agritech, clean energy, fisheries, sports innovation, waste management, fintech, media solutions and aerospace & defence.

Rigorous Evaluation of Early-Stage Innovations

Committee members conducted a structured and comprehensive assessment, interacting with founders to understand their innovation potential, scalability, technical feasibility and prototype readiness. Several entrepreneurs showcased products that were built, tested and validated within Goa — a strong indicator of the growing confidence in Goa as a launchpad for startup innovation.

Many proposals addressed pressing real-world challenges such as digital accessibility, food distribution, clean energy adoption, fisheries tracking, healthcare delivery, smart construction and waste management. These submissions underscored the expanding depth and relevance of Goa’s emerging startup pipeline.

Supporting Homegrown Innovation

The Startup Seed Capital Scheme, a key pillar of the Goa Startup Policy, provides a one-time grant of up to ₹10 lakh to startups that have developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). The support aims to help early-stage ventures refine their products and accelerate towards market readiness.

As more founders choose Goa to build and test innovative solutions, the state continues strengthening its startup ecosystem through structured funding, policy-backed facilitation and initiatives designed to nurture early-stage entrepreneurship.

TechPulse

Goa Launches #EmpoweredInGoa Campaign to Celebrate Digital Empowerment and Innovation

Tanisha Cardozo

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.