5th webinar series on 'Startup activities and funding options'
Date : December 13, 2020 :: Knowledge Exchange Network, Manipur (KEN)

The 5th webinar series on 'Startup activities and funding options', a panel discussion with experts from NASSCOM, STPI, NIELIT and KEN on 13 Dec 2020

Knowledge Exchange Network, Manipur (KEN) based at Boston, USA, is a voluntary organization collectively run by Manipuri professionals across the world. Its sole aim is to create career and employment opportunities in Manipur through knowledge transfer and skilling youth by synergizing the local need and best means available in the world.

The 5th webinar series was conducted as a panel discussion on 'Startup activities and Funding options' for the youths from Manipur, NE and other states on Sunday, December 13, 2020.

Shri Lakshmikant Laikangbam, KEN Finance Secretary [US], shared the Mission and the Vision of KEN to the participants (http://kenmanipur.org/aim-and-objective/) .

Shri RK Herojit, KEN President [Singapore] shared ideas on Partnership and Financial discipline for successful business setup. He shared some real case studies of his successful ventures of HASK Group (Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia). He provided tips to build and scale up a sustainable business using right team members who can take care of various roles. He reminded the mantra 'Never Stop Learning and Growing'.

Dr. Jayanta Yumnam, KEN General Secretary [also the Director NIELIT Guwahati] shared a brief survey report on Mission NE 2020. He highlighted the related area where a startup might explore in detail such as facility in IT Parks and SEZ (Special Economy Zone), skilling youth and the available skilled youth.

He also briefed about the Industry 4.0 and future possibilities of converting the 'muscles or manual work' to 'machine work or automation'. He urged the youth to get benefits from the current projects of the Ministry of Electronics and Inf. technology [MeitY], NASSCOM and STPI, - the 'Future skill', the 'AI-for youths', 'Digital NE', OCTANE startup program etc. He further highlighted possible startup area that would rises at the post-COVID-19 era in academic, agriculture, healthcare, digital tourism, waste management etc.

Shri Prabir Kumar Das, Scientist G and Jurisdictional Director, STPI invited the youth and KEN members for possible activities. He explained the OCTANE program in which number of startups from NE state are going to be incubated with funding which will go up to Rs25lakhs per project.

He further explained that the program will provide a robust platform for start-ups with single umbrella support services like mentorship, cloud computing, subsidy, seed capital assistance, marketing support (incl. IPR protection) etc.

Under OCTANE, the focus domain allotted are IoT for Guwahati, AR/VR for Imphal, Animation for Shillong, GIS & Drone for Itanagar, Data Analytics for Agartala, IT in Healthcare for Gangtok, Graphics for Kohima and Gaming for Aizawl. He also highlighted another interesting scheme- CHUNAUTI, (Challenge Hunt under NGIS for Advanced Uninhibited Technology Intervention), to find the products and solutions to address the challenges faced during and post-pandemic situation. He shared his thoughts , ideas and encouragement for the youth , especially of the North East.

Shri Nirupam Chaudhuri, Regional Director (NASSCOM EAST) shared practical ideas on 'branding a business' in different startup units under NASSCOM and CII. Shri Arihant Kothari, Deputy Manager, NASSCOM shared his experiences of managing '10000 startups initiative' of NASSCOM and provided insightful thoughts and guidance for young entrepreneurs.

The webinar was attended by many entrepreneurs and youths from different states. All the participating experts exchanged thought on the possible joint venture with KEN in the near future for the development of the regions. An interactive Q&A session was later on held between the panelists and the participants.

Shri Bishwajit Okram, former General Secretary of KEN gave the Vote of thanks at the end of the event. He thanked NASSCOM and STPI for coming together with KEN to propagate the idea of self-reliance through self-employment, employment generation and startup to the youth of North East of India.

Prof [Dr.] Yumnam Jayanta Singh
General Secretary,
Knowledge Exchange Network [KEN-Manipur]