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.
Panaji, July 2025: The Valedictory Session of Bridging Horizons: A Confluence of Industry, Institute & Innovation, organised by ASSOCHAM Goa State Development Council in collaboration with the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), marked the culmination of a high-impact dialogue focused on shaping Goa’s innovation ecosystem.
The event brought together leaders from academia, corporate industry, startups, and government to identify tangible strategies for enhancing synergy between educational institutes and the industrial sector. With a clear focus on skill development, research translation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship, the valedictory session captured actionable insights and commitments.
Key highlights included:
Strengthening industry-led curriculum and faculty development.
Enhancing student internship pipelines and collaborative R&D opportunities.
Leveraging state initiatives like Goa Start-up Policy and Goa Tech Vision 2030.
Enabling infrastructure support and regulatory ease for MSMEs and tech startups.
Speaking at the event, representatives from DITE&C reaffirmed the Government of Goa’s focus on positioning the state as a hub for innovation, powered by partnerships across stakeholders. “The future of Goa lies in building knowledge-driven collaborations,” said a senior official.
ASSOCHAM Goa leaders emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue between institutions and enterprises. “We’re proud to catalyse a platform where ideas can grow into impact. Today’s discussions set the tone for sustained innovation,” they noted.
The Bridging Horizons series, throughout its sessions, has become a meaningful platform for advancing the convergence of knowledge, skills, and enterprise in Goa. As it draws to a close, it leaves behind a renewed momentum for industry-academia-government partnerships—paving the way for a smarter, more connected Goa.
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
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 6th Edition of The Business Diva competition, organized by the Women’s Wing of GCCI (Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry), recently concluded with a grand celebration of the spirit of entrepreneurship among women in Goa. The event, aimed at supporting and spotlighting women entrepreneurs, successfully brought together aspiring and established women business owners from all corners of the state.
The Business Diva competition is more than just an event—it’s a platform created with the vision to celebrate and uplift women entrepreneurs, providing them with the opportunity to showcase their talent, innovation, and leadership. The event was held in collaboration with FiiRE (Forum for Innovation, Incubation, Research, and Entrepreneurship), a renowned organization committed to empowering entrepreneurs, and received invaluable support from Mr. Tushar Sawant, Enterprise Development Manager at FiiRE.
The competition spanned over three months, starting with the announcement and culminating in an intense day-long finale. The entire process was meticulously organized, and the program saw a whopping 100+ nominations from women entrepreneurs across Goa. This overwhelming response showcased the growing entrepreneurial spirit among women in the state and the need for such platforms.
Categories and Rounds: Startup, Scaleup, and Rural Woman Enterprise
The competition was divided into three key categories:
Startup: For new ventures that have innovative ideas and the potential to scale.
Scaleup: For businesses that have already started and are looking to expand.
Rural Woman Enterprise: Specifically for women entrepreneurs in rural areas who are making a significant impact with their businesses.
After a careful review of the nominations, the first round of selection narrowed down the entries to 30 nominations. These candidates were then invited for the second round, a pitching session where they presented their business models, strategies, and visions. Ultimately, 5 finalists in each category were chosen to proceed to the finale.
The Business Diva platform was created by the Women’s Wing of GCCI with the aim of bringing forward the untold stories of innovation and impact by women entrepreneurs. It also serves as a space to create a supportive community of like-minded women, offering them opportunities for networking, mentorship, and collaboration. This platform is not just about competition but also about celebrating the achievements and challenges of women in business, promoting an inclusive environment where women entrepreneurs can flourish.
The competition was open to all women entrepreneurs across Goa, both aspiring and established, providing them with an opportunity to pitch their ideas, gain valuable feedback, and receive recognition for their entrepreneurial journey.
The finale of the Business Diva competition took place on 27th May 2025 at the GCCI Hall in Panjim. The event was a celebration of entrepreneurship, with each finalist presenting her business and journey to a panel of esteemed judges. The panel of judges included:
Dr. R. Nirmala, Professor at Goa Business School, Goa University
Mr. Yogesh Mittal, CFO at Hughes Precision Ltd, Verna
Mrs. Ekta Agarwal, CEO of SS Technologies, Margao
The day-long program was packed with insightful presentations, engaging discussions, and a deep dive into the businesses and ideas that the women brought forward. The grand award ceremony took place later in the evening and was graced by several dignitaries, including:
Padma Shri Smt. Shashi Soni, the Chief Guest
Mr. Shrinivas Dempo, President of GCCI, as the Guest of Honour
Smt. Pratima Dhond, Vice President of GCCI, also as the Guest of Honour
The winners of the 6th edition of The Business Diva competition were as follows:
Category: Startup
Winner: Yasha Jain – Charmify
Runner Up: Isha Kher – Meraki Enterprises
Category: Scaleup
Winner: Shruti Mascarenhas – Ceracotta
Runner Up: Sunetra Pai Fondekar – Kalanetra
Category: Rural Woman Enterprise
Winner: Dr. Chetna Parab – Soulart Gift Store
Runner Up: Poonam Naik – Super Taste Papad
Each winner and runner-up was awarded a prestigious title that recognized their dedication, innovation, and entrepreneurial excellence. The awards were a testament to their hard work and resilience in the competitive world of business.
The event was efficiently hosted by Rahila Khan and Gauri Borkar, both committee members of the Women’s Wing, whose efforts ensured the smooth execution of the program. The Women’s Wing also expressed their gratitude to FiiRE for offering mentoring, funding, and growth opportunities to all the participants, enabling them to enhance their businesses and take them to the next level.
A heartfelt congratulations was extended to all the winners, finalists, and participants for their courage and determination to come forward and showcase their entrepreneurial journeys. The Women’s Wing is proud to have hosted such an impactful event and is committed to continuing its mission to inspire and support women entrepreneurs across Goa.
With the success of the 6th edition of The Business Diva, the Women’s Wing of GCCI is already looking forward to the next edition of the competition in 2025. The event serves as a stepping stone for more women to venture into the world of entrepreneurship without limitations, and it is hoped that the winners will inspire other women to chase their dreams fearlessly.
