Digi-SAPNE awareness programme held in Dimapur

DIMAPUR — An awareness programme on Digi-SAPNE 2.0 (Start-up acceleration programme for northeast), where entrepreneurs and start-ups could win upto an amount of INR 80 lakh was held at ESpace in Dimapur on Friday.

Digi-SAPNE is an initiative of Atal Incubatio Centre, Sikkim Manipal University (AIC SMU), and Educentre, Dimapur, is the local partner of the programme.

Lezo Putsure, founder of the Educentre School of Business (ESB), briefed that the programme is for the Northeast on how the young entrepreneurs using technologies could solve the local community problems. He said that the programme aims to empower startups that are addressing critical challenges in Northeast India through innovative technological solutions.

He said that Digi-SAPNE aims to empower local innovators by providing essential resources and mentorship.

He added that the whole idea was to conduct competitions where a start up can win upto INR 80 lakh. He also mentioned that Educentre, being an incubator under the department of Industry and Commerce, is also working towards helping the entrepreneurs grow and giving them classes.

He explained that any entrepreneurs who is using a little bit of technology could apply for the programme which would be available online at Digi-SAPNE portal till December 15. He informed the winner would get a start-up fund of about INR 10 lakh to help them translate their business ideas.

He informed that there would be a jury to interview the entrepreneurs and opined that about 15-20 entrepreneurs from the NE could win the fund. If their ideas are good, the electing committee would pass it on and the final prize would be given, he added.

The key features of the programme included a grant upto INR 80 lakh to assist in the scaling and development of selected start ups. They would also help refine business strategies and identify new growth opportunities.

The programme is also designed to facilitate market expansion and connections with potential customers and the participants would have the opportunity to present their technological solutions to esteemed investors and industry leaders.

To support tourism startups of Northeast India between AIC SMU Technology Business Incubation Foundation and Department of Tourism, Nagaland, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between them.

Kiyelu Yeptho, functional manager of District Industries Centre (DIC), told the entrepreneurs that the state government is focusing so much of the MSME sector. He assured that they are doing their best to provide platform for entrepreneurs and added that the department is always ready to help if they need any assistance.

Following the programme, Nzano Ranthan, manager of E space, and Incale Iswarang, coordinator of entrepreneurship Development Centre, informed that they would be organising Dimapur Hornbill Espace night bazaar at E-space from December 1-10. They have invited interested entrepreneurs and start-up to register for stalls. They informed that registration would be opened till November 26.

The stalls would be opened from 4 pm to 9 pm during the Hornbill Festival. The registration fee per stalls would be charged at INR 5000 for ten days.