Goa marks National Startup Day 2025 with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship

Goa Khabar : On National Startup Day 2025, the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics, and Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, organized an event at Fortune Miramar, Panjim.

The event was attended by dignitaries, including Prasanna Acharya, IAS, Director of the Department of IT, Electronics, and Communications; Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director of the Department of ITE&C; Nijanand Vasta, Deputy Director (IT); Ms. Priyatama Patil, Assistant Director (IT); Neville Noronha, OSD to the Minister of IT, Electronics & Communications; and D. S. Prashant, CEO of the Startup and IT Promotion Cell. Entrepreneurs, innovators, mentors, and stakeholders from Goa’s startup ecosystem gathered to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and explore collaboration opportunities.

The event began with a presentation by Mr. D.S. Prashant, CEO of the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, highlighting Goa’s progress in the startup sector. He shared that the state has 570 DPIIT-recognized startups, 255 SITPC-certified startups, and 270 startups led by women directors, with 40% in early transaction or scaling stages. Goa’s startups have raised INR 1300 crore in private funding and received INR 15 crore in government grants (Central and State). Mr. Prashant also outlined the objectives of the Goa Startup Policy 2024, which aims to establish Goa as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, with a goal to support 1,000 startups by 2027.

Speaking at the event, Shri Prasanna Acharya, IAS, Director of the Department of ITE&C, Government of Goa emphasized Goa’s future plans. “On this National Startup Day 2025, we reflect on the growth of Goa’s startup ecosystem and its role in creating opportunities. Our goals include generating 10,000 jobs for Goans and facilitating venture funding for at least 100 startups. With infrastructure that includes six incubators, over 15 co-working spaces, startup cafés, and venture studios, we are building an ecosystem that supports startups at every stage” he said.

The event featured workshops aimed at providing practical insights for startups. Ms. Namrata Chawla, Certified Business Coach and Founder of MindMines, led a session on early-stage product development and the concept of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). She focused on the importance of identifying and refining a single key feature that sets a product apart. She also shared her perspective on pricing, saying, “Do not charge for what the product is; charge for what the product will be.” Drawing from her psychology background, she explained how understanding human behavior can influence pricing strategies, customer engagement, and business decisions.

Another workshop on fundraising, conducted by Ms. Varsha Adusumilli, Co-founder of Kstart—a $10M structured seed fund anchored by Kalaari Capital—and former Founding Vice President of YourStory Media, provided a clear overview of funding options. Topics included finding the right angel investors, strategies for raising angel funding, understanding venture capital, and creating effective pitch decks. Participants gained insights into navigating the fundraising process.

The event also showcased innovative solutions by local entrepreneurs. Shivona Fernandes, Project Manager at SOLO Network, demonstrated an internship and mentor finder app, while Siddharth Goel, Co-founder of KYP Solutions, presented a skill assessment tool to help founders understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

National Startup Day 2025 showcased Goa’s potential as a startup hub by providing platforms for learning and equipping entrepreneurs with essential skills. Through workshops, product demos, and networking, the event reinforced Goa’s commitment to driving innovation, promoting digital transformation, and building a thriving ecosystem for startups and technology businesses.