Director of Industries & Commerce, P Tokugha Sema (6th from Right) seen with other dignitaries & Industry Experts during the launching of North East Startup Catalyst Program at NIELIT Kohima on May 22. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | May 22
Since the inception of the Nagaland Startup Policy in 2019, Nagaland state has registered a total number of 296 StartUps, several of which are generating annual revenues of Rs 2.5 crore and creating over 268 jobs.
These were revealed by Director of Industries & Commerce, P Tokugha Sema during the “launching of North East Startup Catalyst Program” at NIELIT (National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology) Auditorium, Kohima on May 22, wherein he also underscored the progress of the Startup Ecosystem of Nagaland.
Stating that NIELIT Kohima is one of the five incubators empanelled under Startup Nagaland, he said these incubators are making positive changes in the ecosystem, with each one playing a crucial role in nurturing Startups by providing necessary resources, platforms, and mentorship.
“The Entrepreneurship Development Cells (EDCs) established in schools across 16 (Sixteen) districts are fostering a culture of entrepreneurship from a young age,” he pointed out while asserting that, “these cells are instrumental in embedding the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in our students, preparing them to become the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”
Further highlighting that the North East Startup Catalyst Program is an initiative by NEILIT under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeiTY), Government of India, he also underscored that, “this program is a testament to our collective commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in our region.”
Referring to the terms used in the programme such as “Ideate”, “Innovate”, and “Incubate”, he exuded belief that “pursuing these true paths can provide a robust platform for our young entrepreneurs to bring their creations to life.” “This initiative not only supports our startups but also strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nagaland and the entire North East region,” he emphasised.
In the meantime, he acknowledged the industry experts including Anurag Mazumdar, Raunak Sugar, Nijil Y, Abhishek Kaushal, and Anubhav Tiwari, who, he added, “bring a wealth of knowledge and experience.” In this regard, he exuded hope that their insights and expertise will inspire and guide budding entrepreneurs from the state.
‘Need for sustainable & thriving startup ecosystem’
Further urging every stakeholder to collaborate in building a sustainable and thriving Startup ecosystem, Director of Industries & Commerce, P Tokugha Sema articulated that it is imperative to focus on a few key areas such as ‘Mentorship and Guidance’, ‘Access to Funding’ and ‘Collaborative Networks’.
Substantiating to this, he underlined the importance of “bringing in industry leaders and experienced entrepreneurs from both local and external markets to mentor our young and emerging startups, and providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.”
He also dwelt on the need to ensure that Startups have access to seed funds and venture capital, which, he pointed out, is crucial for their growth and scalability. “Initiatives like the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme are instrumental in this regard,” he said.
Asserting on the need for “establishing networks between Startups, industry, academia, and the government to foster collaboration and innovation,” he remarked that their partnerships with organizations like PayTM and the ongoing support from the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology are excellent examples of this. He further urged all decision-makers, leaders, and resourceful individuals present “to actively support and guide our Startups” while expressing that, “your assistance can make a significant difference in transforming innovative ideas into successful businesses.”
Industry Expert, Anurag Mazumdar, Co-Founder & Director, The Logical Indian, Bangalore spoke on ‘Brand North-East & Brands from North East’. Highlights of the event included welcome address by Daniel Meren, Additional Director, NIELIT Kohima, Director’s address by L Lanuwabang, Director NIELIT Kohima, ‘Overview of the North East Startup Catalyst Program’ by Anubhav Tiwari, Chief Innovation Officer, and vote of thanks by A Morimenba Amer, Joint Director, Industries & Commerce, Government of Nagaland.
