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.
Goa’s digital transformation has been rapid under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Shri Rohan Khaunte. One of the key pillars driving this growth is digital skilling — an effort to ensure that Goa’s citizens are prepared for the opportunities of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Goa is redefining its development narrative, not only through its rich tourism and cultural heritage, but also through a forward-looking digital vision that empowers every citizen. Guided by Shri Rohan Khaunte’s vision, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) has been implementing initiatives that strengthen connectivity, nurture innovation, and prepare Goa’s workforce for the future.
At the heart of this vision lies the belief that development must be inclusive. The Department of ITE&C is committed to equitable growth, launching several initiatives aimed at building a digitally skilled population and bridging the digital divide, especially among youth, women, and marginalized communities.
One such initiative is the Free Laptop Distribution Scheme for Meritorious Students from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. This scheme provides deserving students with the essential digital tools to access online education, skill-building platforms, and career opportunities. Since 2022, more than 300 students have benefited, highlighting the State’s commitment to inclusive digital empowerment. Students like Varad Matondkar from Lourdes Convent High School, Saligao, and Sohan Malgaonkar from Loyola High School, Margao, expressed gratitude to the Goa Government and Minister Shri Rohan Khaunte, emphasizing how these laptops have enhanced their learning experiences.
To further empower Goa’s youth, DITE&C has established IT Knowledge Centres (ITKCs) across the State. These centres offer job-oriented IT training programs designed to build employable skills. Currently, seven ITKCs operate across Bardez, Ponda, Sanguem, and other talukas, bringing digital learning closer to local communities. Over 20,000 training sessions have been conducted, benefiting more than 5,000 participants and resulting in nearly 19,500 e-certificates across 46 modules.
Recognizing the crucial role of women in social and economic development, the Department launched the Mahila Digital Shashaktikaran Yojana (MDSY). This flagship program aims to provide digital training to women, enhance their employability, and help them participate confidently in Goa’s digital journey.
An Additive Manufacturing Hub is also being developed under the Goa Information Technology Development Corporation (GITDC) to promote 3D printing technology. Through a structured three-level training program — beginner, intermediate, and advanced — the initiative ensures skill development for students, government officers, and trainers. Infinyt3D Pvt. Ltd. acts as a knowledge partner, providing technical expertise, software support, and operational guidance.
Under Shri Rohan Khaunte’s leadership, Goa is also gearing up for the next wave of innovation with the Goa AI Mission 2027. The mission envisions building a strong AI talent and infrastructure ecosystem from schools to startups. Plans include introducing AI courses in educational institutions, establishing the Goa AI Academy, and organizing AI bootcamps, masterclasses, and hackathons.
With these initiatives, Goa is positioning itself as India’s Creative and Innovation Capital — a State where technology meets inclusivity, and every citizen is empowered to thrive in the digital age.
The Pernem Free Legal Aid Cell of V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, in collaboration with Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College and Research Centre (DMC), Assagao, organized a thought-provoking talk on “Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).” The session aimed to raise awareness about the importance of protecting intellectual creations and fostering innovation through legal mechanisms.
The event featured guest speakers Ms. Varsha Redkar and Mr. Pranay Prabhugaonkar, who brought their expertise and practical insights to the discussion. The technical session, delivered by Ms. Varsha Redkar, covered the fundamental aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, emphasizing how they play a crucial role in safeguarding creative and innovative ideas from misuse. She highlighted various types of intellectual property, their legal implications, and their growing relevance in modern times.
Key dignitaries in attendance included Dr. D.B. Arolkar, Principal of DMC, Dr. M. Shanti, Vice Principal, Professor Jeevan Khedekar, Head of Department, and Faculty Cell Incharge Dhruva Naik. Their presence underscored the importance of such collaborations in enhancing academic engagement and interdisciplinary learning.
Following the expert talks, an interactive session allowed students to pose questions, resulting in an engaging and thought-provoking dialogue between participants and speakers. The exchange of ideas made the session lively and enriching, encouraging students to explore intellectual property as an evolving and dynamic field of law.
Adding an element of fun and competition, a quiz was conducted through a Google Form QR code. Students enthusiastically participated, and the top three winners were selected based on accuracy and speed of responses. The event successfully blended education, interaction, and innovation, leaving students with a deeper understanding of IPR and its role in promoting creativity and legal awareness.
The third edition of the Goa Innovation and Startup Times (GIST 2025) was held on October 31, 2025, at Vivanta Goa, Panjim, celebrating the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Organised by BITS Pilani’s BITS BioCyTitH Foundation in partnership with the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C), the Goa Technology Association (GTA), the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), and the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), the event brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, academicians, and industry experts under one roof.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Shri Rohan Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Tourism, and Printing & Stationery, emphasised the Goa Government’s commitment to building a robust innovation ecosystem. He underlined the State’s focus on mentorship, infrastructure, and financial support for startups, noting that with 703 startups already registered under DPIIT, Goa is fast emerging as a hub where creativity meets technology. Khaunte also highlighted the government’s inclusive approach to policymaking, where inputs from academia and industry are shaping forward-looking frameworks.
He cited the Goa AI Mission 2027 as an example of this vision, aimed at making Goa a leader in emerging technologies and artificial intelligence. The initiative, he explained, not only focuses on fostering a thriving business environment but also seeks to empower the State’s youth to become job creators.
The event featured multiple sessions exploring innovation for social impact and sustainable development. One of the key highlights was the panel discussion titled “Innovation by the Seaside – Technology Drivers,” which featured industry leaders such as K. Bhattacharyya of Putzmeister, Dr. P. Kamat of Suzega, S. Chittore of Quantum AI Global, and M. Tiwari of Ethernet Xpress. Moderated by Dr. A. Pethe from Texas Instruments, the discussion focused on how AI and quantum technologies are shaping the next wave of innovation.
Another significant panel, “Science, Policy and Sustainability,” examined real-world applications of science and technology in addressing key societal challenges. Moderated by Dr. Jennifer Lewis, the session featured insightful contributions from Prof. A. Parulekar of GIM, Dr. B. Manjunath of Syngenta, Mr. M. K. Patil, Former Chairman of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, and Ms. Tripti Somani, Founder of Womennovator.
Guest of Honour Ms. Revathi Kamath, entrepreneur and educationist, delivered an inspiring address urging entrepreneurs to contribute toward social equity by making education and technology accessible to underprivileged communities. She reminded the audience that innovation carries a moral responsibility to serve society.
GIST 2025 also celebrated women entrepreneurs through a dedicated Women Entrepreneurship Camp, complemented by a startup expo and translational research showcase. A closed-door investment pitching session provided startups with opportunities to secure funding and partnerships.
Through its engaging sessions and strong cross-sector collaboration, GIST 2025 reaffirmed Goa’s position as a growing hub of innovation and inclusive growth — driven by the shared efforts of government, academia, and industry.
Eyewear major Lenskart is preparing to enter the smart wearables market with the launch of its first AI-powered smart glasses by the end of December 2025. According to sources familiar with the development, the device, internally referred to as “B by Lenskart Smartglasses”, will integrate advanced AI-based interactions, health and wellness insights, and even UPI payment functionality. This move represents Lenskart’s most ambitious step yet in repositioning itself as a technology-led lifestyle brand.
The upcoming smart glasses are reportedly built on the Gemini 2.5 platform and are likely powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chipset, a processor designed for lightweight augmented reality and AI-driven camera applications. The product launch could follow shortly after Lenskart’s stock market debut on November 10, signaling a strong synergy between its financial expansion and technological ambitions.
A person familiar with the company’s strategy said that the smart glasses aim to integrate AI and commerce seamlessly into everyday eyewear, making them more than just a vision aid — transforming them into an interactive, connected accessory. Lenskart’s partnership with Qualcomm, announced earlier this year at the Snapdragon for India XR Day, further solidifies its commitment to building AR and AI solutions tailored to Indian consumers.
Over the past year, Lenskart has been actively investing in AI, XR, and computer vision startups to strengthen its in-house technological capabilities. The company’s public issue, launched on October 31 to raise ₹7,278 crore at an estimated valuation of ₹70,000 crore (USD 8 billion), was fully subscribed on the first day.
If the launch proves successful, Lenskart could become one of the first Indian consumer technology brands to commercialize AI-driven eyewear, entering a market currently led by products such as Meta-Ray-Ban Smart Glasses and Amazon Echo Frames. With a focus on affordability, functionality, and design tailored for Indian consumers, Lenskart’s smart glasses could mark a defining moment in the evolution of India’s wearable technology landscape.
