Bhubaneswar, Jan. 9: The stage is set for entrepreneurs from across Odisha to discuss newer and innovative technologies to run businesses at the two-day Odisha Start-up Summit here.
A joint venture of Bhubaneswar Start-ups, a community comprising entrepreneurs, and Trident Group of Institutions, the summit aims to promote the start-up ecosystem. The event, which will be held on January 12 and 13, will see the participation of 100 young entrepreneurs, who have established their start-ups in various sectors.
"The summit is going to provide a platform for start-up companies to showcase and display their innovations, capabilities and strengths in the presence of dignitaries, peer-stakeholders as well as students," said Sakyasingha Mahapatra, a member of the group.
While sharing their success stories, entrepreneurs will also speak on topics including funding patterns, business plans and compliance issues. Upcoming entrepreneurs will also get a chance to speak to investors and bankers on loan documentation, loan process, eligibility criteria and start-up schemes.
"Many youths move of out of the state every year because of a lack of opportunities. With new businesses flourishing here, these will not only provide employment, but also give a push to the state's economy," said Swagat Kar, founder of Book Ticket Now, the state's first online ticket-booking portal.
There will also be a session on ways to deal with legal compliances, including due diligence, NDA contracts (a mutual nondisclosure agreement where two parties disclose confidential information) and ROC compliance (mandatory for Indian private limited companies) among others. In another session, entrepreneurs will get a chance to understand the intricacies of marketing, sales, branding, achieving target and handling customers.
"We will hold similar summits in others districts and it will contribute to augmentation of start-up culture in the state," said Mahapatra.
Bhubaneswar Start-ups is a body under Odisha Start-ups that have 30 chapters in all the state's 30 districts. Mahapatra said becoming a part of the community would serve a number of purposes for aspiring entrepreneurs.
"We will help those who want to start their own businesses to utilise their skills and resources," he said.
Members of the community organise gatherings, workshops and other activities to offer answers to young people enthusiastic about starting their own online businesses. Mahapatra said: "Many youngsters are giving up 9-to-5 jobs to start something of their own. With the government offering various investment opportunities, the state has a conducive environment for bright minds to flourish," he added.
Last year, chief minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Odisha Start-up Policy with a five-year plan to help 1,000 ventures and place Odisha among the top three investment destinations in the country by 2020.
