The Goa Startup Bootcamp Yatra 2024 commenced at the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), marking the beginning of a two-day event aimed at empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs in the state. Organised by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Government of Goa; this initiative is designed to support aspiring student entrepreneurs and startups as they navigate the complexities of building successful businesses, stated a press release.
Minister for IT, Electronics and Communications Rohan A. Khaunte, Director of DITE&C Prasanna Acharya, IAS, Joint Director of DITE&C Milind Sakhardande, CEO of Startup and IT Promotion Cell D S Prashant and OSD to Minister ITE&C Neville Noronha, graced the occasion.
The Bootcamp provides a platform for participants to refine their startup ideas and gain practical insights from industry experts. The first day focussed on essential strategies for navigating early-stage challenges.
Welcoming the participants at the Startup Yatra Bootcamp 2024, D S Prashant, CEO of the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, stated: “We see the potential of young entrepreneurs to bring about change, and through mentorship, resources, and guidance, we are helping them turn their ideas into reality. The Startup Yatra Bootcamp is part of this effort, designed not only to educate but to connect young entrepreneurs with key figures in the ecosystem, including investors, mentors, and industry experts who can offer valuable guidance.”
Building on this, Prasanna Acharya, IAS, Director of Department of IT, Electronics & Communications remarked: “At the Startup Yatra Bootcamp 2024, we are laying the foundation for an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Goa.The vision of Viksit Bharat reflects the government’s goal to transform the country into a developed nation by 2047.”
He acknowledged the efforts of Minister of IT, Electronics and Communications, Khaunte, in advancing this sector. Additionally, the Goa Government aims to support 1,000 startups and create 10,000 jobs by 2027. The government is also collaborating with global incubators, investors, and national organisations to strengthen Goa’s startup ecosystem.
The yatra began with Siddhart Goel introducing the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, a prestigious competition for students running businesses while attending college or university. Following this, participants were inspired by Raj Kapoor, founder & CEO of India Blockchain Alliance, who conducted an engaging session on creating purpose-driven presentations using AI tools. He introduced several AI tools for making presentations, including Dektopus, Relayto, beautiful.ai, pop.ai, and Zoho Show.
This workshop provided practical techniques for leveraging technology to enhance communication and effectively convey entrepreneurial ideas.
During the bootcamp, students presented their innovative business concepts, ranging from transportation solutions, holograms, health tech, bus tracking applications, to unique formulations.
Khaunte, engaged with the participants, highlighting the need to understand the ideas of Goa’s young entrepreneurs. He stated, “the objective of this interaction is to gain insights into the thought processes of young innovators in Goa. Our policies are aligned with inputs from academia and industry, ensuring they remain flexible and supportive. Mentorship is an essential part of this, and the government is committed to providing early-stage support for startups. Ideas recommended by recognized colleges are receiving government support, including funding assistance to help scale their ventures.”
In addition to presentations, a networking session allowed participants to connect with one another and build valuable relationships within the entrepreneurial community.
The workshop segment featured Vaniya Dangwal, Head of Strategic Partnership and Operations at Headstart Network Foundation covered the Business Model Canvas, guiding participants in structuring and visualizing their business models. She also facilitated a session on developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), where participants collaborated to sketch out their MVP plans, supported by real-world examples and rapid prototyping techniques. The day concluded with participants refining their presentations based on feedback from mentors, setting the stage for a productive second day.
The Goa Startup Yatra Bootcamp reflects the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, Government of Goa’s dedication to building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state. Through this initiative, aspiring entrepreneurs are equipped with essential resources, expertise, and connections to help them innovate and contribute to Goa’s development.
