Stakeholders in Nagaland urged to build sustainable start-up ecosystem

KOHIMA — Director of Industries and Commerce, P Tokugha Sema has called for a collaborative approach to create an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive in Nagaland and the north-east region.

Speaking at the launching event of the North-East Startup Catalyst Programme held at the Auditorium of NIELIT Kohima, he underscored the importance of mentorship, access to funding and collaborative networks in building a thriving start-up ecosystem.

The programme was initiated by the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), Kohima, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY), Government of India.

The director urged every stakeholder to collaborate in building a sustainable and thriving start-up ecosystem, with main focus on areas such as mentorship and guidance. In this connection, he suggested bringing in industry leaders and experienced entrepreneurs from both local and external markets to mentor young and emerging start-ups, providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.

He also underscored the need for access to funding, stating that access to seed funds and venture capital is crucial for the growth and scalability of start-ups.

“Initiatives like the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme are instrumental in this regard,” he said, while highlighting the role of collaboration between start-ups, industry, academia and the government in fostering innovation.

Initiatives like the “Ideate, Innovate, and Incubate” programme can provide a robust platform for the young entrepreneurs to bring their creations to life. This initiative not only supports the start-ups but also strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nagaland and the entire Northeast region, he maintained.

296 registered start-ups in Nagaland

Meanwhile, the director of Industries and Commerce informed that the state has registered 296 start-ups since the inception of the Nagaland Startup Policy in 2019, many of which are generating annual revenues of INR 2.5 crore and created over 268 jobs.

He said that the state currently has five incubators empanelled under StartUp Nagaland, including NIELIT. These incubators are making positive changes in the ecosystem, each playing a crucial role in nurturing start-ups by providing necessary resources, platforms and mentorship.

He also highlighted the role of Entrepreneurship Development Cells (EDCs) established in schools across 16 districts of the state in fostering a culture of entrepreneurship from a young age, stating that these cells are instrumental in embedding the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among the students, preparing them to become the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

He noted that Nagaland has received awards from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for its start-up ecosystem and that some Nagaland start-ups have participated in national and international platforms, showcasing their innovations on larger stages.

Furthermore, he expressed optimism that the launch of NorthEast StartUp Catalyst Programme would boost and leverage many successful start-ups that will contribute to the socio-economic development for the region.

During the event, speeches were also delivered by Anurag Mazumdar, Co-founder and Director, The Logical Indian, Bangalore; and Anubhav Tiwari, Chief Innovation Officer, NIELIT, who presented an overview of Northeast Startup Catalyst Programme.

The director’s address was delivered by L Lanuwabang, Director of NIELIT Kohima; the programme was led by Daniel Meren, Additional Director NIELIT Kohima and vote of thanks was proposed by A Morimemba  Amer, Joint Director NIELIT Kohima.