Odisha Secures ‘Top Performer’ In DPIIT State Startup Rankings 2022

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s steadfast commitment to nurturing a thriving startup ecosystem has been recognized with the prestigious title of “Top Performer” in the DPIIT State Startup Rankings 2022. This distinguished accolade was announced by Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles, at a notable felicitation ceremony held on January 16, 2024, in New Delhi.

The 4th edition of the State Startup Ranking, orchestrated by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), aimed to strengthen the collaborative efforts of States and Union Territories (UTs) in fostering comprehensive and vibrant startup ecosystems. The State Startup Ranking Framework 2022 was meticulously designed as a robust and results-oriented initiative, seeking to catalyze significant advancements in each state and UT. The evaluation process involved a thorough assessment of responses across various parameters.

A total of 25 action points were employed to assess a combination of absolute, relative, and feedback-based grading, providing a comprehensive overview of the state’s or UT’s distinctive startup environment. The framework encouraged 31 states and union territories to work towards reducing regulations for startup expansion and enhancing support for the startup ecosystem.

Odisha, having been recognized as the “Top Performer” in 2019 and the State Startup Ranking 2021, maintained its position in 2022. This accomplishment reflects Odisha’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive and holistic policies and schemes for entrepreneur development throughout the state. The retention of the “Top Performer” status signifies Odisha’s progressive initiatives in empowering aspiring entrepreneurs.

Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha, emphasized, “Odisha’s retention of the ‘Top Performer’ status in the DPIIT State Startup Rankings 2022 is a testament to our unwavering commitment.” Under the visionary guidance of Shri Naveen Patnaik, Odisha is dedicated to elevating the capabilities of its startup ecosystem. The state is actively considering a new startup policy aligned with global best practices, focusing on ESG factors, and promoting women’s entrepreneurship.

Startup Odisha has nurtured over 1,800 startups across various sectors, with 42% being women-led startups. The organization aims to foster at least 5,000 startups by 2025. Odisha currently hosts 27 incubators, including O-Hub, the Government of Odisha’s incubator—one of the largest in the country, spanning four lakh sq ft. Presently, there are 75 active Entrepreneurship Cells (E-cells) and 93 incubators, with expectations for these numbers to grow in the years to come.