Biswajit Sahoo
OdishaPlus Business Bureau
- Global Network of Entrepreneurs and Professionals for Odisha (GNEPO)
- Emphasis on Nationwide and Worldwide Networking
- Mentorship programme for taking Odisha Startups to the next level
Odisha in the recent days has carved out a niche for itself as a frontline destination by nurturing industries, attracting investment and promoting startups. Now the time has come to have a conducive environment for entrepreneurial growth in the state along with providing all sorts of support to the new generation entrepreneurs and founders of startups. When all stakeholders in the entrepreneurial world come together to work in this direction, Odisha can usher in a new era of success, opined experts during the launch of Global Network of Entrepreneurs and Professionals of Odisha (GNEPO) at capital city Bhubaneswar.
GNEPO was formally launched on March 30 at a special event held in KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. Tusharkanti Behera, Minister Electronics & IT, Govt of Odisha attended the launch event as the Chief Guest.
Global Network of Entrepreneurs and Professionals (GNEPO) is a unique and upcoming platform to provide technical support to Startups in Odisha for going global while harnessing a conducive backdrop to facilitate the right atmosphere for entrepreneurial activities in the state. The two major focal points of GNEPO will be networking and mentorship which is critical for promotion of any new venture.
GNEPO will ramp up efforts to connect with industry leaders, professionals, influencers and mentors of repute in the industries and startup world. The forum GNEPO, comprising of industrialists and professionals will boost the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Odisha and make it into a Startup Hub, informed the GNEPO Co-founder & Director, NRO Dr Ajay Mohanty.
Noted NRI IT Expert and former advisor to the government on IT Infrastructure and Policy Sam Pitroda got connected through a video message. He reiterated the fact that Odisha is endowed with all components for industrial advancement. Hence, keeping pace with the trends is the need of the hour and the government can accelerate the progress of industrial organisations by rendering hand holding and mentoring support to budding entrepreneurs. He expected that GNEPO will be playing a pivotal role in connecting Odisha to successful entrepreneurs and professionals from India and abroad.
“The state government of Odisha has initiated the modernization of 10 industrial estates. By 2025, it has kept the target of providing world class industrial infrastructure. The state government has been facilitating IT and MSME friendly policy for promotion of these sectors, which reflects its commitment to build Odisha as an industrial hub of India”, said Electronics & IT Minister Tusharkanti Behera.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Secretary, MSME, Ranjana Chopra said there are more than 19 lakh MSME organisations in Odisha generating more than 33 lakh employment opportunities. Similarly Odisha has made its name at national level in the area of startups. More than 1200 organizations have been registered under Startup Odisha which has brought a ray of hope in the industrial sector. She said that Odisha government has been ensuring that the MSMEs and Startups grow at a faster pace.
Odias today no more lag behind in industrial and entrepreneurial advancement. Odia entrepreneurs have created their identity especially by dint of their innovative outlook, perseverance and professionalism. Hence the time has come to take homegrown industries of Odisha to global spheres, remarked Principal Secretary, Electronics & IT, Manoj Mishra.
Director, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Manas Ranjan Panda pointed out that there are different incubation centres across the state to support the startups who are coming up with innovative solutions. Hence we need to support them with global networking and mentorship programmes.
Odisha has been taking centre stage for attracting global investments, hence all stakeholders should join hands in building it as a leading entrepreneurial hub of India, said Ayaskanta Mohanty, MD Tatwa Technology.
Co-founder of GNEPO and CEO of KIIT TBI, Dr Mrutyunjay Suar in his welcome address deliberated upon the importance of such a forum in present context and said that it would take the entrepreneurial pursuits notches ahead in the post Covid scene.
Co-founder and Director Dr Amiya Nayak proposed the vote of thanks and hinted upon the organizational structure of GNEPO in connecting to global entrepreneurs and professionals.
A technical session titled ‘Developing Mentoring and Nurturing an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Odisha-A Tangible Framework’ was held where Sr Consultant of STPI, Prof Ashok Panda, President of TiE Bhubaneswar chapter Debashish Pattnaik and CSR Head of JSW Odisha, Prashanta Biswal, Prof Saroj Nayak, Shubham Acharya, Dr Sumona Karji Mishra deliberated upon various key issues.
To mark the occasion, the Science & Technology Department of Govt of Odisha started a boot camp named ‘Open’ to create entrepreneurial pursuits among students and encourage their innovative thinking leading to business development. The camp will run for 60 days wherein 50 best business ideas will be presented before experts. The best among the participants will be awarded with attractive prizes, fellowships and scope for getting investment opportunities.
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