Tag: Goa Technology Association

TechPulse

Goa Technology Association Hosts First Edition of ‘Engineer of the Year’ Award

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

Panaji, September 16, 2025:
 The Goa Technology Association (GTA) marked a milestone in Goa’s academic and technology ecosystem by successfully hosting the inaugural Engineer of the Year Award on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

The award recognised two categories of achievers:

  • Toppers (1st rank holders) from each engineering department across Goa’s engineering colleges.
  • Promising students who demonstrated exceptional innovation, creativity, and excellence in technology.

Through this initiative, GTA celebrated the brightest engineering talent in the state — relentless achievers and future leaders shaping tomorrow with their skills and determination.

Speaking at the occasion, GTA President Mangirish Salelkar said:

“This award is a tribute to engineers who form the backbone of the technology industry. It is our first year of these awards, and we intend to make this bigger and better every year. We also look forward to greater collaboration with academia, as we believe our engineers should give back to the ecosystem, mentor young talent, and help shape the future of Goa’s IT industry.”

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from engineering students, industry leaders, academicians, and technology professionals. It served as a unique platform connecting innovation with inspiration, strengthening the bridge between education and industry.

With the launch of the Engineer of the Year Award, GTA has set the stage for an annual tradition to honour engineering excellence and reinforce its mission of building a stronger, future-ready technology ecosystem in Goa.

About GTA:
 Founded in 2017, the Goa Technology Association (GTA) is the only representative body of IT companies in Goa. GTA actively collaborates with industry, academia, and government to strengthen Goa’s position as a technology hub while creating opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals.

Events in Goa

Kilowott Honoured at GTA Awards 2025 for Pioneering Role in Goa’s Digital Transformation

Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji, July 30: Recognising its sustained contributions to Goa’s IT ecosystem, Goa-based technology firm Kilowott was awarded at the GTA AGM & Awards Nite 2025, hosted by the Goa Technology Association.

The ceremony, held at a prestigious venue near Panaji, saw Caleb Fernandez, co-founder of Kilowott, receiving the award from Rajesh Revankar, Vice Chairman of ESC (Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council), India.

The recognition highlighted Kilowott’s leadership in innovation, its consistent impact on the state’s tech infrastructure, and its commitment to building talent pipelines through partnerships with Goa’s top engineering institutions.

“We began our IT journey in Goa with a clear vision to tap into local potential and create meaningful employment opportunities. Over the years, that belief has only grown stronger,” said Fernandez.

The event was graced by key dignitaries including Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology Rohan A. Khaunte, STPI Director Ajay P. Shrivastava, MAIT Advisory Council Chairman Nitin Kunkolienker, and Goa’s IT Director Kabir Shirgaonkar.

From its headquarters in Porvorim, Kilowott has expanded its footprint to Margao in July 2025 to support its rapidly growing operations. It continues to recruit Goan engineers and tech professionals, reinforcing its commitment to the state’s digital ambitions.

With over 2,000 global projects delivered across Asia, Europe, and North America, Kilowott’s impact transcends borders, but its roots remain grounded in Goa.

Business

CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Engages with New Goa Technology Association Leadership

allycaralgoa

Focus on Employment Generation and Boosting Entrepreneurship in the State

Panaji, Goa | June 20, 2025 — In a significant step toward advancing Goa’s digital and entrepreneurial ecosystem, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant held a strategic meeting with the newly constituted Managing Committee of the Goa Technology Association (GTA). The agenda: to strengthen collaboration between the state government and the tech industry for job creation, skill development, and fostering local startups.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister congratulated Shri Mangirish Salelkar on being re-elected as President of GTA for an unprecedented third term, acknowledging his continued leadership in shaping Goa’s growing technology landscape.

🤝 Strengthening Government-Industry Collaboration

The discussions focused on several key areas:

  • Creating high-quality employment opportunities for Goan youth
  • Supporting tech startups and small IT enterprises
  • Enhancing industry-academia linkages for better skill alignment
  • Promoting Goa as a tech hub for innovation and entrepreneurship
  • Exploring policy support and infrastructure development

“Goa’s tech ecosystem is growing, and we want to ensure it creates direct opportunities for Goans. The government is fully committed to supporting this vision,” said CM Dr. Pramod Sawant after the meeting.

👨‍💼 Mangirish Salelkar Re-Elected as GTA President

Shri Mangirish Salelkar, Co-founder & CEO of Umang Software Technologies, continues to lead GTA as its President — marking his third consecutive term. Known for his work in building a community of IT entrepreneurs and pushing for industry-friendly policies in Goa, Salelkar’s leadership has been widely appreciated by both peers and policymakers.

“We thank the Hon’ble Chief Minister for his time and commitment. Our new committee looks forward to working closely with the government to empower Goa’s tech sector and create more opportunities for local talent,” said Salelkar.

🧑‍💻 About Goa Technology Association (GTA)

The Goa Technology Association is the leading body representing the IT and tech industry in Goa. Comprising IT companies, startups, and service providers, GTA acts as a bridge between the government and the private sector, advocating for policy changes, talent development, and sustainable tech growth.

Since its inception, GTA has:

  • Promoted Goa-based IT hiring
  • Engaged in dialogues on infrastructure and internet access
  • Supported local startups and innovation-driven enterprises

🌱 Looking Ahead: A Shared Vision

The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to:

  • Conduct regular industry-government dialogues
  • Launch joint skill-building initiatives
  • Encourage tech investments and incubation programs
  • Promote Goa as a preferred destination for IT and knowledge industries

As Goa moves to position itself beyond tourism and into knowledge-driven growth, the collaboration between the state government and industry bodies like GTA is expected to be crucial for long-term economic resilience and innovation.

📌 Key Highlights:

  • CM Dr. Pramod Sawant met with GTA’s new committee in Panaji
  • Focus: Employment, startup growth, and entrepreneurship
  • Mangirish Salelkar re-elected as GTA President for the 3rd term
  • Government assured continued policy and infrastructural support
Business

Mangirish Salelkar returns as President of Goa Technology Association for 2025–2027

allycaralgoa

 
The Goa Technology Association (GTA), the state’s premier body representing IT, ITeS, BPO companies, and technology startups, has unanimously elected Mangirish Salelkar as its President for the 2025–2027 term. A respected technopreneur and ecosystem builder, Salelkar earlier served as GTA’s President during the 2017–2019 and 2019–2021 terms, where he played a key role in shaping Goa’s tech landscape through strategic initiatives and collaborative leadership.
 
Established in 2017, GTA has grown into the collective voice of over 100 tech companies and startups in Goa. It offers a robust platform for dialogue, policy advocacy, and ecosystem building. The Association has contributed significantly to the state’s IT and Startup Policies and has led several impactful initiatives in the areas of skill development, entrepreneurship, and investment promotion.


 
While speaking on his reappointment, Salelkar said, “GTA is not just an association—it is a mission to put Goa on the global tech map. Our focus in this term will be to strengthen the ecosystem, unlock opportunities for local talent, support startups, and build strong partnerships that fuel sustainable growth.”
 
Known for his visionary outlook and inclusive leadership, Salelkar continues to play a vital role in bridging the gap between industry, academia, and government in Goa. His return to the presidency comes at a time when the state’s technology sector is poised for greater national and international relevance.


 
The newly elected GTA Managing Committee for the 2025–2027 term includes Mangirish Salelkar as President, Milind Prabhu and Rohan Warty as Vice Presidents, Chinmay Kamat as Secretary, and Amol Bhandarkar as Treasurer. Sujeet Shetty as the Immediate Past President, while the committee also includes members Yashvit Naik, Vikram Pai Raikar, and Rohir Naik. Additionally, Sunaya Shirodkar has been appointed as Chairperson of the Women’s Wing.
 
Over the next two years, GTA aims to focus on building strong industry-academia partnerships to develop future-ready talent, work closely with the government in attracting investments into Goa’s tech infrastructure, and supporting the growth of deep-tech and product-driven startups. The Association will also work on enhancing member engagement, advocating progressive policies and incentives, and establishing global linkages to showcase the potential of Goan tech talent on the world stage.
 
With a renewed leadership team and a clear roadmap, GTA is ready to lead Goa’s digital and economic transformation into its next chapter.