Over 500 startups are run by women in Odisha

Women entrepreneurs are in charge of about 40% of the startups registered in Odisha, India.

The amount exceeds the ambitious goal set by the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. His administration aimed to have at least 33% of startups founded or co-founded by women.

At a gathering in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, Startup Odisha evangelist Sanjukta Badhei stated, “Odisha has more than 1,300 startups, out of which nearly 500 are run by women.”

Speaking in more detail about the various programmes offered by Startup Odisha for women, Badhei said that programmes for capacity-building and special funding were in place to assist such business owners in fostering their ideas.

She stated at the seminar on the development of women entrepreneurs and their contribution to the socioeconomic situation in Odisha, “We have a monthly allowance of Rs 22,000 for promoting women’s entrepreneurship.”

A grant of up to Rs 16 lakh is available to help with the development and marketing of the product.

According to the official, startups can also receive travel assistance to exhibit their goods and services at various events.

Additionally, the Odisha government has established a Rs 100 crore fund to offer significant investments to the startups.

The seminar is a component of Propack Odisha, which was held at the Janata Maidan and was organised by the Odisha Association of Small and Medium Enterprises.

The four-day expo featured participation from over 40 companies in the packaging and food processing industries. Additionally, more than 100 SMEs from all over Odisha participated in the exhibition, which ended on Sunday.

The expo seeks to support the development of new markets and business channels for exhibitors while showcasing new business and networking opportunities to the state’s MSMEs.