Bhubaneswar Hosts Regional AIM SUMVAAD to Drive Innovation and Collaboration Across Eastern India

Bhubaneswar (Odisha Tazanews) :- Regional AIM SUMVAAD – East Chapter, a flagship initiative of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, Government of India, was organised this Friday at O-Hub, Bhubaneswar, convening stakeholders from the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem across Eastern India.

The inauguration session was graced by the presence of Smt. Chithra Arumugam, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha, who delivered the keynote address and highlighted the growing significance of the Eastern Region in India’s innovation landscape.

She emphasized the need for collaborative ecosystems, institutional partnerships, and policy-driven interventions to strengthen startup ecosystems and foster innovation-led growth across the region. The inaugural session featured a welcome address by Mr. Pramit Dash, Program Director, Atal Innovation Mission, followed by a virtual message by Dr. Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, who shared the vision of AIM towards nurturing robust regional innovation ecosystems and promoting entrepreneurship at scale.

A major highlight of the conclave was the launch of the AIM Odisha Chapter, marking a significant milestone towards strengthening ecosystem linkages and enabling greater collaboration among innovation stakeholders in the state. The event witnessed participation from startups, incubators, academic institutions, industry representatives, policymakers, and ecosystem enablers from across Eastern India.

Partner incubators included Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) and Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs) from Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, collectively contributing towards strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship across the Eastern Region. The day-long conclave featured policy briefings, industry deliberations, ecosystem huddles, and thematic presentations under Purvodaya – Building an Ecosystem for Sunrise Sectors.

The discussions highlighted opportunities for regional collaboration, strengthened knowledge exchange and explored pathways for innovation-led growth across Eastern India. Such initiatives reaffirm Atal Innovation Mission’s commitment towards nurturing vibrant innovation ecosystems and creating an enabling environment for startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs across the country.