Innovation in Goa is accelerating as the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 enters its Selection Week—marking a significant milestone in the state’s mission to turn bold ideas into practical solutions by providing pilot opportunities and implementation of selected solutions, states a press release.
Led by the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, the Challenge has emerged as a unique platform blending real governance challenges with entrepreneurial problem-solving.
With over 550 applications from across India—including early-stage startups and student innovators—the initiative has attracted wide attention for its focus on deployable, tech-driven solutions across key public sectors such as Tourism, Waste Management, Agriculture, Public Services, NABARD, ITE&C and Industry.
The shortlisting process has been a collaborative effort between government departments and Technology Business Incubators, reflecting Goa’s commitment to co-creating public sector solutions with the agility of the startup ecosystem.
Day One of the virtual pitch sessions witnessed presentations from shortlisted startups to a high-powered Selection Committee, including senior officials Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C, Nijanand Vasta, Deputy Director, DITE&C, D. S. Prashant, CEO, SITPC along with representatives from Implementing Departments, Goa Technology Association (GTA), Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), and Technology Business Incubator from Goa.
“This isn’t just about ideas—it’s about execution,” said Rohan A. Khaunte, Minister for Department of ITE&C. “We are creating a platform where innovation and governance converge. By bringing startups, students, departments, and incubators together, we’re unlocking solutions that are ready to pilot and scale—in Goa.”
“Through this Challenge, we are not just supporting innovation—we are creating access,” added Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, Department of ITE&C, “Startups get a chance to solve real problems, and departments get agile, tech-based solutions. This is how we make governance future-ready.”
The Selection Week, running from June 2 to June 6, will see pitch rounds where each shortlisted startup presents to the committee, followed by a Q&A session.
Proposals are being evaluated on innovation, feasibility, scalability, and pilot-readiness within the Goan context.
Beyond being a startup challenge, the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 represents a paradigm shift in public sector engagement—where government no longer works in isolation, but as a catalyst for innovation.
By enabling collaboration between public departments and emerging entrepreneurs, Goa is not only solving for local needs—it is shaping a new model of impact-led innovation, reinforcing its vision of becoming India’s Creative Capital.
