The state of Odisha's government authorized a grant of Rs 1.28 crore for ten dynamic businesses. Through this grant, the state government seeks to promote innovation and entrepreneurship and aid in the development of companies in industries like agritech, food and beverage, HR tech, enterprise technology, retail, education, and logistics. The funding was accepted at Startup Odisha's second board meeting, which is a project supported by the MSME department's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) division. Startups were chosen by the board under the headings of need-based assistance, product development and marketing support, and executive chairman of Startup Odisha Omkar Rai.

The startups selected for the funds include Axonotics, a Cuttack-based IT solutions provider that helps in fast and easy scanning of documents, EME Technologies, a delivery app for food and grocery from Bargarh and Foliyoo Technologies, a logistic solutions provider based in Bhubaneswar. Others include Indersons Services, an enterprise software company of Sundargarh, Happiness Under Budget, a retail company, Lex Protector, an intellectual property service provider, Sabhyasha Retail Tech, a one-stop-shop for handicraft handloom and Kickstart careers, an ed-tech company from Khurda. 

Two Kalahandi-based startups  Zentai Workforce, an integrated AI-driven logistics partner and ManikstuAgro, an agri-tech company, have also been selected for assistance. During the meeting, Rai said the investments in the state’s startups signify the government’s commitment to creating a thriving ecosystem where innovation knows no bounds. “Our vision is to build successful startups by providing necessary financial aid, mentorship and guidance that will help them scale and grow,” he said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has committed to nurturing 5000 startups by 2025, steering Odisha towards its goal of establishing itself as one of India’s top three hubs for innovation.