Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Startup Yatra Bootcamp 2024 concluded, marking the end of a two-day event aimed at supporting and guiding aspiring student entrepreneurs.
The event, organized by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics, and Communications, Government of Goa, provided participants with valuable resources and mentorship to help them navigate the complexities of launching and scaling their startups as they prepare for long-term success.
Following the guidance received on Day 1, participants presented their refined startup ideas, reflecting the valuable feedback provided by mentors.
The culmination of the event was a pitching competition, where students presented their business ideas to a panel of judges.
The two-day event was guided by experienced mentors, including Raj Kapoor, Founder of the India Blockchain Alliance and Chairman of the Global Alliance for Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, Prajyot Mainkar, Founder and CEO of SoFueled, Rahul Bahadur, Goa Chapter Lead at Headstart Network Foundation, Mangirish Salelkar, CEO & CoFounder of UMANG Group, Mark Mendes, Board Member of EDC, Razia Sardinha, and Asst. Professor at Padre Conceicao College of Engineering.
They worked closely with the students, offering valuable insights and support throughout the program.
The judging panel featured Vaniya Dangwal, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Operations at Headstart Network Foundation, Sheetal Chauhan, Management Consultant and Abhishek Singh, Startup Ecosystem Enabler and Incubation Manager at Atal Incubation Centre – GIM.
The judges provided valuable insights and guidance to help participants refine their pitches and improve their entrepreneurial approaches.
From the 25 startups that presented their innovative ideas, six were selected for the final pitching round. The winner of the Goa Startup Yatra Bootcamp 2024 was Flexibus, a bus tracking solution developed by students from Agnel Institute of Technology and Design Engineering.
The runner-up, Urban Growth in the Digital Age from Don Bosco College of Engineering, focused on creating a digital mapping platform for smart infrastructure.
The other four startups that made it to the final round were Remat Filament, CafferMax, Woloc, and Needy Paws. During the pitch, student entrepreneurs sought support in the form of government backing, funding, mentorship, manufacturing space, and building marketing teams, showcasing the creativity and potential within Goa’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Issac Fernandes, founder of Flexibus, shared, “I am thrilled to participate in the bootcamp and have gained invaluable insights from the mentors.”
Similarly, the runner-up team, Urban Growth in the Digital Age, expressed, “We are grateful for the opportunity to present our startup idea to the mentors and to consider our concepts from new perspectives.”
In his closing remarks, D S Prashant, CEO of the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, reflected on the progress made over the two-day event.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, stating, “Moving from ideation to execution is where the real challenge begins. These past two days have given you the tools and knowledge to advance your ideas. It’s important to stay connected with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry leaders, as these relationships can prove essential to your growth.”
He reiterated the Government of Goa’s continued commitment to supporting startups and highlighted the resources available through the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, including the Seed Capital Grant, mentorship programs, the Flip the Classroom initiative, which focuses on understanding founders’ challenges and providing the necessary resources and other initiatives designed to help startups thrive.
“We encourage you to make the most of these opportunities. Our goal is to support you at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey,” he said.
The success of the bootcamp was evident as students gained valuable knowledge and practical skills over the two days. These programs equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the practical insights, mentorship and networking opportunities they need to overcome challenges and contribute to the success of the startup community of Goa.