PANAJI: Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the much-anticipated Future Leaders Week 2025 on World Entrepreneurs’ Day, an event organized by BNI Goa’s Business Voices to celebrate and nurture the spirit of entrepreneurship.
The event, held in Goa, was attended by prominent business leaders including Shri Shrinivas Dempo (Chairman, Dempo Group), Shri Rajkumar Kamat, and other dignitaries, who shared their vision on leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurial growth.
In his inaugural address, CM Dr. Sawant emphasized the importance of empowering the youth with opportunities in entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. He highlighted how Goa is positioning itself as a hub for startups and business initiatives, aligning with India’s larger vision of fostering a self-reliant economy.
Shri Shrinivas Dempo lauded the efforts of BNI Goa and Business Voices in creating platforms that connect aspiring leaders with experienced industry mentors. Shri Rajkumar Kamat echoed similar sentiments, underlining the role of collaboration and networking in building sustainable businesses.
Future Leaders Week 2025 is designed to bring together entrepreneurs, business professionals, and students through workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions, creating an ecosystem where ideas and innovation can thrive.
The event sets the tone for Goa’s growing entrepreneurial landscape, inspiring young minds to step forward as change-makers and leaders of tomorrow.
Panaji, July 21, 2025: In a major step to strengthen Goa’s innovation ecosystem, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Shri Rohan A. Khaunte officially launched the Goa Startup Accelerator Program—a dynamic, 5-month initiative aimed at propelling Goan startups into their next growth phase.
Spearheaded by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell under DITE&C, the program will support a curated cohort of 30 high-potential startups—including 25 officially registered in Goa and 5 based in the state but not yet formally registered. Applications for the program open July 22, 2025, through this form.
The accelerator is built around a structured ecosystem of:
Masterclasses by domain experts
One-on-one mentorship clinics
Dedicated growth tracks across product, business, and fundraising
A finale Demo Day to pitch to investors, corporates, and policymakers
“Goa’s long-term vision is to build a connected, visible and outcome-driven startup ecosystem,” said Shri Rohan A. Khaunte. “This accelerator unifies our innovation network and positions Goa as a national hub for scalable entrepreneurship.”
Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, highlighted the platform’s robust engagement features: a real-time dashboard for tracking progress, mentor engagement, and measuring outcomes.
“We’re going beyond one-time incentives—this is about sustained support and measurable impact.”
The program also reflects a strategic shift under the Goa Startup and IT Policy, which aims to foster youth-led innovation and job creation. With Demo Day serving as a spotlight event, participating startups will have a chance to showcase their progress and attract key stakeholders.
Whether you’re a startup founder, mentor, or investor—this marks a defining chapter in Goa’s startup journey.
Panjim, June 19, 2025: As part of its ongoing efforts to advance the startup ecosystem, the Startup and IT Promotion Cell (SITPC), under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITEC), Government of Goa, is organising the Goa Market Access Expo on June 20, 2025, from 3:30 PM onwards at the Grand Ballroom, Grand Hyatt, Bambolim as part of the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025.
Positioned as an opportunity to pilot solutions in Goa, the Expo is a game changer—bringing together 100+ shortlisted startups with tech-driven solutions across key sectors—Tourism, Waste Management, Agriculture, Public Services, NABARD, ITE&C, and Industry. The event also extends an open invitation to Goa’s startup ecosystem—entrepreneurs, investors, incubators, and enablers to engage, connect, and explore new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
The event will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, in the presence of Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Shri. Rohan A. Khaunte, and Hon’ble MLA and Chairman of InfoTech Corporation of Goa Ltd., Dr. Chandrakant Shetye.
The Expo aims to create tangible outcomes by facilitating pilot projects, strengthening government-industry collaboration, and connecting startups with investors. One-on-one meetings tailored to each startup’s needs will ensure focused engagement with relevant government departments and industry stakeholders.
The Market Access Expo 2025 is a step forward in shaping Goa into a preferred innovation hub—where promising ideas connect with real opportunities for market access, growth, and impact.
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.
Altinho, June 2, 2025: Innovation in Goa is accelerating as the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 enters its Selection Week—marking a significant milestone in the state’s mission to turn bold ideas into practical solutions by providing pilot opportunities and implementation of selected solutions.
Led by the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, the Challenge has emerged as a unique platform blending real governance challenges with entrepreneurial problem-solving.
With over 550 applications from across India—including early-stage startups and student innovators—the initiative has attracted wide attention for its focus on deployable, tech-driven solutions across key public sectors such as Tourism, Waste Management, Agriculture, Public Services, NABARD, ITE&C and Industry.
The shortlisting process has been a collaborative effort between government departments and Technology Business Incubators, reflecting Goa’s commitment to co-creating public sector solutions with the agility of the startup ecosystem.
Day One of the virtual pitch sessions witnessed presentations from shortlisted startups to a high-powered Selection Committee, including senior officials Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C, Shri Nijanand Vasta, Deputy Director, DITE&C, Shri D. S. Prashant, CEO, SITPC along with Representatives from Implementing Departments, Goa Technology Association (GTA), Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), and Technology Business Incubator from Goa.
“This isn’t just about ideas—it’s about execution,” said Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Department of ITE&C. “We are creating a platform where innovation and governance converge. By bringing startups, students, departments, and incubators together, we’re unlocking solutions that are ready to pilot and scale—in Goa.”
“Through this Challenge, we are not just supporting innovation—we are creating access,” added Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, Department of ITE&C, “Startups get a chance to solve real problems, and departments get agile, tech-based solutions. This is how we make governance future-ready.”
The Selection Week, running from June 2 to June 6, will see pitch rounds where each shortlisted startup presents to the committee, followed by a Q&A session.
Proposals are being evaluated on innovation, feasibility, scalability, and pilot-readiness within the Goan context.
Beyond being a startup challenge, the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 represents a paradigm shift in public sector engagement—where government no longer works in isolation, but as a catalyst for innovation. By enabling collaboration between public departments and emerging entrepreneurs, Goa is not only solving for local needs—it is shaping a new model of impact-led innovation, reinforcing its vision of becoming India’s Creative Capital.
