Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: In a significant move to empower Goa’s startup ecosystem, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Rohan Khaunte, officially launched the Goa Startup Accelerator Program on July 22, 2025. This mentor-driven initiative is aimed at nurturing high-potential startups and supporting them through their growth journey with structured guidance and industry access.
The program will be spearheaded by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa.
Designed to support a carefully selected cohort of 30 promising startups, the accelerator will include 25 startups registered in Goa and 5 others operating in the state. The initiative focuses on enabling local entrepreneurs to scale through curated mentorship, expert-led sessions, and valuable market linkages. Startups will be chosen through a mix of open applications and nominations from incubators and industry collaborators. Applications are officially open from July 22, 2025.
Over a five-month period, participating startups will receive mentorship across critical domains such as product development, technology, business strategy, market access, and fundraising. The program will also feature masterclasses by leading industry experts, one-on-one mentorship clinics, and culminate in a Demo Day where founders will pitch their ventures to investors and corporate partners.
“Goa’s vision is to foster a connected and performance-driven startup ecosystem,” said Rohan Khaunte. “This accelerator is a milestone in building a cohesive platform that offers startups visibility, measurable outcomes, and direct industry engagement. Through the Goa Startup and IT Policy, we are taking a strategic leap to make Goa a destination of choice for innovation and sustainable business growth.”
Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C, added, “We’re bridging a key gap by moving beyond one-time incentives to offering startups sustained, structured support. The program will feature a digital dashboard for real-time tracking of startup progress, mentor engagement, and performance outcomes—ensuring that Goa’s startup ecosystem evolves dynamically.”
The Goa Startup Accelerator Program is a part of the state’s broader agenda to foster innovation-led entrepreneurship, boost job creation, and amplify local impact.
With applications now open, this initiative marks the beginning of a new phase in Goa’s entrepreneurial journey—one that empowers youth to become wealth creators and leaders of scalable, impact-driven ventures.
