Over the past ten years, India’s startup ecosystem has experienced transformative growth, according to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, with Arunachal Pradesh emerging as a powerful and competitive contributor from the Northeast. Speaking during the inaugural Startup Arunachal Day ceremony, which took place during Innovation Month to commemorate 10 years of Startup India, Khandu emphasized the state’s consistent advancements in fostering entrepreneurship. The Arunachal Pradesh government has quadrupled seed investment under the Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park (APIIP) and would treble the admission capacity for its next Cohort 5.0, the chief minister said, announcing significant support measures.
He pointed out that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Startup India in 2016, the country’s startup ecosystem has grown to over two lakh firms, creating close to 20 lakh direct jobs, with an increasing number of Tier-II and Tier-III cities and female entrepreneurs participating. In reference to the voyage of Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu stated that APIIP was introduced in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the team, the planning department, and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein worked together to transform the problem into an opportunity.
He stated that the program has been in place for five years and has resulted in a number of the state’s successful entrepreneurial tales. Khandu gave examples of how several entrepreneurs overcome obstacles to funding and market access and were able to grow with institutional assistance, showcasing the potential of young people in Arunachal Pradesh when given the correct support and platform. He said that over the past ten years, the state’s youth had excelled in entrepreneurship, athletics, and music.
