– Entrepreneurship reaching all 30 districts : Hemant Sharma
– Five semiconductor projects underway with investments exceeding $4billion : Vishal Dev
Bhubaneswar (Odisha Tazanews) :- TiE Bhubaneswar inaugurated the second edition of its flagship international entrepreneurship summit, TiECon Bhubaneswar 2026: Odisha Leap Up Summit, at Hotel Crystal Crown, Bhubaneswar. Organised under the theme “Build, Scale & Export,” the two-day summit aims to strengthen Odisha’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, promote export-led growth and accelerate innovation while connecting local enterprises with national and international markets.
The summit was inaugurated by Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Government of Odisha, who highlighted Odisha’s growing potential as a major investment destination and an economic engine for eastern India. Senior government officials, industry leaders and entrepreneurs attended the inaugural session.
Dr Mahaling highlighted Odisha’s competitive advantages, including its abundant natural resources, surplus energy, availability of land and water and progressive industrial policies. He said the state was well-positioned to attract investments across information technology, semiconductors, metals, downstream industries and advanced manufacturing. Emphasising the vision of “mines to microchips”, he underlined the opportunity to leverage Odisha’s mineral wealth to develop high-value manufacturing and technology industries, including semiconductor facilities and data centres.
He also highlighted the importance of regulatory reforms, including the Jan Vishwas Bill passed by the Odisha Assembly, in simplifying compliance and creating an investor-friendly environment. Improved digital connectivity, infrastructure development and stronger industry-research collaboration would support the state’s industrial transformation. He said coordinated growth across industry, tourism, healthcare and IT would be crucial to achieving Odisha’s long-term development ambitions in line with the national visions for 2036 and 2047.
Shri Hemant Sharma, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Industries, highlighted entrepreneurship as a key driver of Odisha’s transition from an agrarian economy to a diversified industrial economy. He noted that TiE Odisha had organised at least 48 events in the preceding 12 months, covering all 30 districts, to identify entrepreneurs, engage with local businesses and encourage young people to consider entrepreneurship as a career option.
“There is life beyond regular jobs and employment, and it is possible in Odisha to be an entrepreneur,” he said. Highlighting the state’s economic growth, Shri Sharma appreciated the efforts of the government under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to accelerate industrial development. He said that if Odisha sustained annual growth of 7–8%, its economy could double in approximately seven years, while growth of around 9% could achieve the same in about five years.
He stressed that industrial expansion, investment and entrepreneurship would be essential to sustaining this growth. Shri Vishal Dev, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Electronics and Information Technology Department, said Odisha was strengthening its policy framework, infrastructure and talent base to attract advanced manufacturing investments. “We are moving from a ‘Made in Odisha’ economy to a ‘Make in Odisha’ economy,” he said, highlighting the state’s focus on semiconductors, AI data centres and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
He noted that five semiconductor projects were underway in Odisha, with proposed investments exceeding US$4 billion. Of the 12 projects approved under the India Semiconductor Mission, two are being developed in Odisha: a compound semiconductor fabrication facility and an advanced 3D chip packaging unit. Shri Dev also highlighted opportunities in advanced packaging, including glass-core technology, and collaborations with global companies such as Intel and GT Glass Solutions.
These initiatives are expected to strengthen Odisha’s position in the global semiconductor value chain and support Samrudha Odisha 2036, which aims to build a globally competitive economy valued at US$500 billion. Shri Ayaskanta Mohanty, President, TiE Bhubaneswar, emphasised the importance of aligning policy with large-scale infrastructure, quality and cost competitiveness to help Indian enterprises succeed in international markets.
Shri Anil Kumar Singh, President, JSW BPSL, highlighted the role of manufacturing scale, efficient logistics and global technology partnerships in strengthening Odisha’s export potential. He encouraged entrepreneurs to seize emerging opportunities to build and expand their businesses. Shri Malik Ahamadeen, CEO, MAS India and Murali Bukkapatnam, volksy technology ‘EHAM also addressed the inaugural session.
Sanu Ratha, vice president TIE Bhubaneswar proposed vote of thanks. A key highlight of the summit was the launch of TiE Bhubaneswar Academy and TiE Bhubaneswar HNI Connect, aimed at supporting entrepreneurship development and strengthening business and investment networks. The event also recognised regional TiE chapters and international partners, including TiE Colombo from Sri Lanka.
Shri Kumud Kumar, President, TiE Patna; Dr Rao Bikram Singh, President, TiE Kanpur; and Shri Kalyan, President, TiE Vizag, were felicitated. Selected enterprises were also recognised for their contributions to entrepreneurship and enterprise development. The first day of TiECon Bhubaneswar 2026 focuses on export-led growth and connecting Odisha’s enterprises with international markets.
The second day will feature the DeepTech Summit, covering artificial intelligence, space technology, drones, data centres, GCCs, green energy and other emerging technologies. The two-day summit brings together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and innovators to explore opportunities for investment, business expansion, technological advancement and global collaboration.
