Stories
Khandu Unveils Major Initiatives to Boost Arunachal Startup Ecosystem
- •Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced the Arunachal Creative Economy programme and the Institute for Transforming Arunachal to drive innovation and policy.
- •Satellite incubation cells were inaugurated in seven higher education institutions, and MoUs were signed with five more to expand the startup network.
- •The APEDP intake was doubled to 100 startups with seed money increased up to Rs 10 lakh, while the YES Arunachal portal was launched as a single-window system.
- •Khandu highlighted upcoming hydropower and mineral projects, aiming to transition the state from a deficit to a surplus budget.
Key Questions Answered
Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced the Arunachal Creative Economy (ACE) programme, an expert think tank called the Institute for Transforming Arunachal (ITA), and satellite incubation cells in seven higher education institutions. He also launched the YES Arunachal portal and increased seed funding for startups from up to Rs 5 lakh to up to Rs 10 lakh.
Launched in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the APEDP has helped launch more than 150 startups. Intake has been doubled from 50 to 100 startups, and the program recently marked the graduation of Cohort 4 and the commencement of Cohort 5.
Arunachal Pradesh was recognized among the top three states in the National Startup Ranking Framework during the 10 years of Startup India, standing out as the only Northeast state to receive this recognition. Additionally, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein noted that the state was recognized as the Best Performer State in the National Startup Ranking.
