“Intelligence is using your mind to find solutions to day to day problem”, Hon’ble Shri Piyush Goyal.

AIC – SMU Technology Business Incubator hosted “North East Entrepreneurs Dialogue (N.E.E.D) : Accelerating the Startup Growth Engine” in collaboration with Startup India in the SMIT Campus, Majitar on 18th February, 2023.

The event was graced by the presence of Hon’ble Union Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Textiles, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Aditya Tamang, MLA, Soreng-Chakhung GoS; Shri Karma R. Bangpo (IAS), Secretary, Dept. of Commerce and Industries GoS, and Lt. Gen. (Dr) Rajan S Grewal, Vice Chancellor SMU.

North East Entrepreneurs Dialogue (N.E.E.D) has been carefully crafted on the basis of the needs of the entrepreneurs of the North-Eastern states, vital for creating a two-way conduit between the central or state government and the startups for the exchange of opinions, ideas and policies of the government.

During the keynote session by Hon’ble Union Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal, highlighted the importance of preserving the pristine status of Sikkim, and primarily focusing on the USP of Sikkim as a high value tourism destination. Decreasing transportation and logistics cost to benefit local producers to advance beyond the boundaries of the state.

Shri Piyush Goyal particularly mentioned that India should strive to make world class products where good quality isn’t restricted only to exports. According to him every single consumer in the country should get access to quality goods. To the masses of Sikkim, he requested not to let the status of Sikkim as 100% organic state go away, and he hopes that 8 crores worth of yearly revenues from the organic products would go up to 800 crores over the years.

Furthermore, our incubatees and startups also got the opportunity to showcase their products including Cas Collective, Turuk Garden, Akumen AI, Encamp Adventures, Nibiaa Devices, Turbit Virtual Reality among others. The event was attended by 33 startups from all over the North East and many dignitaries from Startup India, and the Government of Sikkim graced the event.

The event concluded with an inspiring and interactive session by CEO, Dr. Tej Chingtham. With the need for more incubators in the state and being one of the first world class incubators in the region, Dr. Tej Chingtham suggested that Sikkim, from the perspective of entrepreneurs is a breeding ground of opportunities waiting to be explored.

We would like to extend sincerest gratitude to all the dignitaries present today and extend out appreciation to all the startups, faculties, students and team at AIC-SMUTBI who made the event a grand success.