The Startup Mahakumbh, held in New Delhi, highlighted the burgeoning role of tribal entrepreneurs within India’s thriving startup landscape. With the participation of at least 45 tribal startups, the event underscored the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ commitment to fostering innovation and empowering tribal talent. This achievement marks a pivotal step toward building a more inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Two tribal-led startups, incubated at premier institutions IIM Kolkata and IIT Guwahati, earned national recognition at the event. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal presented these prestigious awards, commending their groundbreaking contributions to community development and innovation. Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram also congratulated the winners, praising their dedication and highlighting the aspirations and potential of tribal India on a national stage.
Among the recognized ventures was OurGuest Travels, an online travel aggregator based in Gangtok, which received the D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) Award. It is the first platform of its kind from the northeastern region, offering a curated collection of homestays, farmstays, resorts, and guided experiences across Sikkim, North Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. With a network of over 600 homestays and 50+ guides, the startup has catered to more than 6,000 travelers, promoting rural livelihoods and eco-tourism. This accolade represents a significant milestone under the Ministry’s 100-day agenda aimed at strengthening the tribal startup ecosystem.
Ngurie Organic, incubated at IIT Guwahati, received the AgriTech Award for its pioneering efforts in sustainable agriculture. Leveraging data-driven research, precision farming techniques, and blockchain-enabled transparency, the startup empowers farmers by providing innovative agricultural solutions. This recognition underscores the potential of tribal entrepreneurs to drive transformative change in critical sectors like agriculture.
The event also featured a high-impact panel discussion titled “Investing in Bharat: Unlocking Startup Potential Beyond the Metro.” Esteemed speakers from India’s startup and investment community shared insights on fostering growth in non-metro regions. Additionally, faculty from IIT Delhi conducted a design thinking workshop, helping tribal entrepreneurs refine and scale their business models.
Over the course of three days, 45 tribal startup founders, alongside 100 Eklavya Model Residential School students and 150 tribal students availing higher education scholarships, participated in the program. The event culminated in the distribution of participation certificates, following activities such as a bootcamp at IIT Delhi and exposure visits across the broader startup ecosystem.
The Startup Mahakumbh not only celebrated the achievements of tribal entrepreneurs but also provided a platform for collaboration, learning, and innovation. It stands as a testament to the growing role of tribal communities in shaping India’s startup story, paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future.
