Panjim: On January 18, 2025, the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics, and Communications (DITE&C) of the Government of Goa, hosted a significant event at Fortune Miramar in Panjim to mark National Startup Day 2025. This gathering brought together a diverse group of entrepreneurs, innovators, mentors, and stakeholders from Goa’s vibrant startup ecosystem.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Prasanna Acharya, IAS, Director of the Department of IT, Electronics, and Communications; Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director of the Department of ITE&C; Nijanand Vasta, Deputy Director (IT); Priyatama Patil, Assistant Director (IT); Neville Noronha, OSD to the Minister of IT, Electronics & Communications; and D.S. Prashant, CEO of the Startup and IT Promotion Cell.
D.S. Prashant kicked off the event with a comprehensive presentation highlighting Goa’s notable progress in the startup sector. He revealed that Goa is home to 570 DPIIT-recognized startups, 255 SITPC-certified startups, and 270 startups led by women directors, with 40% of these startups in early transaction or scaling stages. Additionally, Goa’s startups have secured INR 1300 crore in private funding and INR 15 crore in government grants. Prashant also outlined the ambitious objectives of the Goa Startup Policy 2024, aiming to establish Goa as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, with a target to support 1,000 startups by 2027.
Prasanna Acharya, IAS, Director of the Department of ITE&C, emphasized Goa’s future plans during his address. “As we celebrate National Startup Day 2025, we reflect on the growth of Goa’s startup ecosystem and its role in creating opportunities. Our goals include generating 10,000 jobs for Goans and facilitating venture funding for at least 100 startups. With an infrastructure that includes six incubators, over 15 co-working spaces, startup cafés, and venture studios, we are building an ecosystem that supports startups at every stage,” he stated.
The event featured a series of workshops designed to provide practical insights for startups. Namrata Chawla, a Certified Business Coach and Founder of MindMines, led a session on early-stage product development, focusing on the importance of identifying and refining a single key feature that sets a product apart. She also shared her insights on pricing strategies, advising startups to “charge for what the product will be,” rather than its current state. Drawing from her psychology background, Chawla explained how understanding human behavior can influence pricing, customer engagement, and business decisions.
Varsha Adusumilli, Co-founder of Kstart and former Founding Vice President of YourStory Media, conducted a workshop on fundraising. Her session covered topics such as finding the right angel investors, strategies for raising angel funding, understanding venture capital, and creating effective pitch decks. Participants gained valuable insights into navigating the complex fundraising process.
Local entrepreneurs also showcased their innovative solutions during the event. Shivona Fernandes, Project Manager at SOLO Network, demonstrated an internship and mentor finder app, while Siddharth Goel, Co-founder of KYP Solutions, presented a skill assessment tool designed to help founders identify their strengths and areas for improvement.
Through these workshops, product demos, and networking opportunities, National Startup Day 2025 in Goa reinforced the state’s commitment to driving innovation, promoting digital transformation, and building a thriving ecosystem for startups.
