Tag: GoaStartups

Business

Goa Celebrates National Startup Day with Focus on Funding and Policy Awareness

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk

With a focus on strengthening Goa’s startup ecosystem, the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Government of Goa, organised a National Startup Day programme in Panaji. The initiative aimed to provide startups with practical guidance, policy and funding awareness, while creating opportunities for engagement with key ecosystem stakeholders.

The programme was graced by Shri Rohan Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Tourism and Printing & Stationery; Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C; Shri Praveen Volvotkar, Managing Director, Infotech Corporation of Goa Ltd; Dr Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C; and Shri D. S. Prashant, CEO, Startup & IT Promotion Cell.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Rohan Khaunte emphasised the Government of Goa’s commitment to building a robust startup ecosystem through access to policy support, funding and market opportunities. He stated that the government envisions Goa as a launchpad for innovative ideas that can scale beyond the state and reach global markets.

Held under the theme ‘Empowering Startups. Enabling Ecosystem’, the event featured an overview of National Startup Day followed by a panel discussion on the effective utilisation of central government startup schemes. The discussion brought together key ecosystem enablers who shared insights on leveraging national initiatives for startup growth. Panelists included representatives from AIC-GIM, CIBA, BITS BioCyTih Foundation, FiiRE, Build3, SBI and HDFC, with the session moderated by Shri Lalit Saraswat.

The programme also included a presentation by the SITPC team outlining state-level incentives and funding support available to startups in Goa. Adding a practical dimension to the event, Shri Amarsh Chaturvedi, Co-founder of Traverse and Neural Machines, conducted an engaging workshop on pitching skills, equipping entrepreneurs with actionable insights to present their ideas effectively.

The event concluded with the felicitation of startups, incubators, academicians and industry associations for their contribution to strengthening Goa’s startup ecosystem. Startups such as Asier, Trash Co., Spatialcraft, Neural Kissan and YIMBY were recognised, along with incubators including AIC-GIM, CIBA, Build3, BITS BioCyTiH Foundation and FiiRE. Industry bodies such as GCCI, GTA and ASSOCHAM–Goa Chapter, along with academicians, were also honoured.

By bringing together stakeholders from across the ecosystem, the National Startup Day programme not only celebrated achievements but also reinforced collective efforts towards building a supportive, collaborative and sustainable startup environment in Goa.

National

Goa Shines at Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, Showcasing Its Growing Innovation & Startup Ecosystem

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral National Desk

The Goa Pavilion at the 28th Edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 concluded on a high note, drawing significant attention from visitors, international delegates and industry leaders throughout the three-day event at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre. More than 500 attendees visited the pavilion curated by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications of the Government of Goa, engaging deeply with the state’s digital initiatives, technology projects and startup ecosystem.

The delegation from Goa included Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Shri Subrai Nadkarni, Shri Siddharth Borker, Shri Gaurabh Sawal and Shri D. S. Prashant, who represented the state’s vision for a more connected, technology-forward future. The pavilion welcomed strong international participation with delegates from the UK, Russia, Denmark, Canada and Sweden. A special highlight was the visit from Joel Stafford, Consulate General of Denmark in Bangalore, whose interactions reinforced global interest in Goa’s digital programmes, infrastructure strengths and evolving innovation landscape.

The stall also received attention from global industry leaders exploring Goa as a potential hub for expansion. Nicolas Wojnarowski of NineSigma praised Goa’s potential as an emerging base for major science and technology collaborations, noting the state’s appeal for future development. National industry bodies, academia and ecosystem enablers including TiE Bangalore, KLE, ELCIA and IDFC engaged with the Goa delegation and discussed opportunities for collaboration.

Among the notable interactions, Rama N. S. of ELCITA shared her positive impressions, highlighting Goa’s tangible progress toward developing an electronic city and expanding beyond its identity as a leisure destination. The pavilion also drew interest from various Indian states, with visitors keen to learn about Goa’s approach to digital connectivity, governance, industrial development and its growing identity as a technology-friendly, creative destination.

Young visitors showed particularly strong enthusiasm, reflecting the rising appeal of Goa’s tech and startup culture among emerging innovators. Goan startups including Spintly and Genora Infotech showcased their solutions and attracted considerable engagement. Spintly’s Co-founder Malcolm D’Souza emphasized the importance of such platforms in giving Goa’s technology ecosystem global visibility, while Genora Infotech CEO Milind Prabhu shared his excitement about representing the state with their platform VoxIntel.

As the summit concludes, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications carries forward valuable connections that strengthen Goa’s identity as India’s Creative Capital and a rising hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-driven growth.

Events in Goa

Celebrating the Spirit of Enterprise and Empowerment: Entrepreneurship Week 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Entrepreneurship Week 2025, held on November 10 at Nalanda, EDC House, Panaji, Goa, was a vibrant celebration of innovation, resilience, and empowerment. The event brought together entrepreneurs, innovators, and ecosystem enablers who are redefining Goa’s economic and social landscape through enterprise.

The week-long initiative focused on nurturing an inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial culture that values creativity, collaboration, and long-term impact. Participants included startups, women entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and policy leaders who shared their insights on building scalable and responsible businesses.

The sessions highlighted themes of innovation-driven growth, digital transformation, inclusive leadership, and the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship. Attendees engaged in interactive dialogues, workshops, and showcases that celebrated both emerging ideas and successful local ventures.

EDC Goa and Nalanda served as the perfect venues for this collaborative effort, symbolizing the state’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship as a cornerstone of progress. From young founders to seasoned business leaders, the gathering echoed a shared belief that enterprise is not just about profit but about purpose, creativity, and empowerment.

Entrepreneurship Week 2025 concluded on an inspiring note, reaffirming that the spirit of enterprise thrives where ideas meet opportunity and where empowerment becomes a collective journey toward inclusive growth.

TechPulse

Last Chance to Register: Goa Startup Accelerator Program Applications Close September 10

Tanisha Cardozo

With just days remaining for the application deadline, Goan startups are urged to seize the opportunity to register for the Goa Startup Accelerator Program, an initiative led by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C). The program, which was launched in July 2025, will close its application window on September 10, 2025.

The accelerator program is being conducted under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan Khaunte, and driven by the vision of empowering local innovation through structured support. The initiative aims to scale up 30 MVP-stage startups that are either registered or actively building in Goa. Selection will be done through a competitive process involving open applications and nominations by an expert committee comprising incubators, industry leaders, and ecosystem stakeholders.

Designed to nurture startups with real market potential, the Goa Startup Accelerator offers selected participants access to business and technical mentorship, investment opportunities, real-time requirement mapping, one-on-one clinics, workshops, and a concluding demo day where startups can pitch to investors and industry leaders.

Speaking about the program, Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, highlighted the relevance of such initiatives in today’s innovation landscape. He said, “Goan startups today are not just addressing real-world problems but also generating employment opportunities in the State. Through our Goa Startup Accelerator Program, we aim to support promising startups, facilitating access to investment and industry expertise. After a rigorous selection process, top 30 startups will be chosen to participate in the program. We invite high-potential startups to apply and join us in shaping the future of Goa’s startup landscape.”

As the program’s final application deadline approaches, MVP-stage startups from Goa are encouraged to apply immediately and join a program designed to fuel rapid and sustainable growth in the local startup ecosystem.

To apply, visit the official website and complete the application form before September 10, 2025.