Austrian Embassy explores partnerships with Nagaland startups

DIMAPUR — Startup Nagaland, in partnership with the Department of Industries and Commerce, hosted a roundtable discussion on Thursday at the Innovation and Incubation Space (IIS) in Kohima.

The event brought together key officials from the Austrian Embassy, government representatives, industry stakeholders, and local startups to explore potential partnerships aimed at bolstering Nagaland’s startup ecosystem, according to an update.

The Austrian Embassy’s commercial section is visiting Nagaland as part of a broader fact-finding mission to explore the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northeast India. The mission is focused on identifying potential avenues for collaboration, innovation, and economic growth in the region.

The roundtable discussion was attended by Ajay Singh, head of technology and innovation at the Austrian Embassy’s commercial section, and Arun Verma, advisor on organisational matters at Vantage Info.

The session was also attended by Shanavas C, Secretary to the Department of Industries and Commerce (DIC), P Tokugha Sema, Director of DIC, and representatives from various key stakeholders, including the Department of Information Technology and Communication (IT&C), the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), and the Business Association of Nagaland (BAN).

Further, the five state-empanelled incubators—YouthNet Incubation Centre, Educentre School of Business, the North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEILIT), the Nagaland Tooling and Training Centre (NTTC), and Nagabots—along with startups and entrepreneurs, were part of it.

Speaking on the occasion, Shanavas emphasised the critical role of international partnerships in nurturing the startup ecosystem in Nagaland.

During the session, the Austrian guests were given the opportunity to share their perspectives and explore avenues for collaboration with local stakeholders, while Ajay Singh and Arun Verma spoke about the potential for innovation, technology exchange, and capacity building, offering insights into how Austrian expertise and resources could be harnessed to support the growth of local startups.

Local startups were invited to showcase their innovative business models and products, providing a platform for exchanging ideas and identifying potential areas for collaboration. It was mentioned that both sides identified several areas where cooperation could lead to tangible benefits, including the possibility of joint ventures, mentoring programs, and market access initiatives.

The Austrian officials commended the state for its efforts in fostering a vibrant startup culture and emphasised their commitment to supporting the region’s economic development through sustained partnerships.

In Nagaland, the delegation is engaging with key stakeholders, including the Department of Industries and Commerce, Startup Nagaland, and local startups, to understand the unique challenges and opportunities present in the state.

The delegation’s visit also includes meetings with government officials and industry representatives to discuss strategic partnerships. This visit is part of a larger tour across multiple states in Northeast India, with the objective of fostering stronger economic ties and supporting the region’s startup culture.