Bhubaneswar, November 20, 2023: The entrepreneurial spirit in Odisha is set to soar as Startup Odisha, an initiative by the MSME Department of the Government of Odisha, is gearing up for the highly anticipated FundStack 3.0. This two-day Annual Startup Investment Summit aims to cultivate meaningful connections between startups and seasoned investors, offering not just critical funding but also invaluable mentorship and support. FundStack 3.0 plays a vital role in unlocking a myriad of opportunities within the dynamic Startup Ecosystem.
Leading venture capitalists and angel investors, including Equanimity Ventures, Sanchi Connect, Menterra Social Impact, Unicorn India Ventures, and many more, will participate in the two-day pitching session. Launched virtually on October 20, 2023, FundStack 3.0 introduced a dedicated website for startups to initiate program applications. Out of numerous entries, 50 startups have earned the opportunity to pitch to investors on November 21, with the top 20 securing slots for exclusive one-on-one meetings on November 22, marked by speed dating and networking sessions.
On the inaugural day, Startup Odisha will formalize strategic partnerships by signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Equanimity Ventures and Sanchi Connect. The event will commence with a roundtable discussion, ‘Roundtable with Investors,’ exploring the intricacies of the burgeoning startup ecosystem and the vast investment potential in Odisha.
The agenda will transition to a dynamic Panel Pitching session, where promising startups will present innovative ideas and business models to a distinguished panel of experts. The day will culminate with the announcement of the top 20 startups, showcasing ventures poised to make a significant impact.
Day 2 will feature discussions on “The Growth of the Startup Ecosystem in Tier II & III Cities of India” and “Enabling Investments for Technology-Led Startups.” The highlight will be an exclusive inaugural address by Shri Pratap Keshari Deb, the Hon’ble Minister of Industries, MSME & Energy, Government of Odisha, and an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session with Shradha Sharma, Founder, YourStory, and Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman, Startup Odisha.
Pitching sessions will follow, allowing the top 20 startups to present to the panel of investors in the ‘Speed Dating session.’ Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman, Startup Odisha, expressed the goal of elevating FundStack 3.0, involving a greater number of investors to encourage innovation and sustainable growth. This initiative aligns seamlessly with Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik’s vision to emerge as the premier Startup Hub in India, aspiring to nurture 5000 startups by 2025.
