Goa Market Access Expo Highlights State's Rise as a Startup Testbed

PANJIM, India, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With the energy of over 100 selected startups, the Goa Market Access Expo 2025 marked a defining moment in the state's journey to position itself as India's Creative and Innovation Capital. Organised by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITEC), Government of Goa, the event connected startups with government officials from various departments and Industry.

The Expo was inaugurated by Hon'ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, in the presence of Hon'ble Minister for Tourism, ITE&C and Printing & Stationery, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Chief Secretary Dr. V Candavelou, Director of DITE&C Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Managing Director of Infotech Corporation of Goa Ltd. Shri Praveen Volvotkar, and CEO of Startup and IT Promotion Cell Shri D S Prashant.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant spoke about aligning Goa's policies with national missions like Startup India and Digital India. "Goa now has 635 DPIIT-registered startups, with ₹3.9 crore in incentives already disbursed to 147 beneficiaries. We are focused on providing mentorship, market access, and momentum—the three essentials for any startup to grow. Our efforts are aimed not just at Goa's growth, but at also contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat. To support this vision, we are setting up a Global Capability Center that will provide IT firms, startups, and emerging industries with the infrastructure, support, and ease of doing business they need to grow and succeed," he said.

At the heart of the Expo was a clear message: Goa is building a creative hub for learning and innovation while actively shaping its unique identity.

Hon'ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte highlighted the broader vision behind such initiatives. "Our aim is to position Goa as India's Creative Capital. This Expo is a window into the kind of talent and innovation taking root here. Goa is not just attracting startups; it's offering them a platform to build with purpose," he noted.

In a fireside chat, Mr. Arjun Sagar, Founder of COCO LENI, echoed this sentiment, saying, "Goa is the space for creativity. I wouldn't have built my startup anywhere else in the world." A panel discussion titled 'Living the Startup Life, Differently: Why Founders Are Choosing Goa' focused on Goa's distinct appeal—not only as a workplace but as a complete ecosystem for entrepreneurs. Panelists referred to Goa as a 'Social Capital' where ideas, people, and purpose come together.

Highlighting key digital-first initiatives, Minister Khaunte spoke about new schemes being rolled out under Goa's startup and digital transformation roadmap. "Whether it's empowering women through the Digital Mahila Sashaktikaran and Drone Didi schemes, or launching AI-powered chatbots on Goa Online to enhance public services, our focus is on making innovation accessible and inclusive," he said. The Drone Didi scheme, in particular, aims to skill rural women in drone operations for use in agriculture and beyond.

The curated walkthrough of the Expo, with Hon'ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and Hon'ble Minister Shri Rohan Khaunte, gave startups the chance to interact directly with them. Several senior government officials also engaged with the participating startups, including Shri P. Pravimal Abhishek, IAS, Director of Transport; Shri Kamal Datta, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests; Shri Octavio A. Rodrigues, Captain of Ports; Shri S. S. Gaonkar, Director of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship; and Ms. Egna Cleetus, IAS, Collector of South Goa; and Shri Stephen Fernandes, Chief Electrical Engineer, along with other officials from various departments. The networking session further enabled meaningful dialogue between innovators and departments, opening doors for potential pilot projects and collaborations.

By offering a structured platform for visibility, validation, and access, the Goa Market Access Expo 2025 reflected the state's continued investment in its innovation ecosystem.

As Goa continues to build momentum as a startup-friendly state, the Expo reaffirmed its commitment to empowering founders, accelerating innovation, and shaping the state into India's Creative and Innovation Capital.

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