New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) As Eastern India continues to emerge as a vibrant hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, Regional AIM Sumvaad-East Chapter 2026, organised by Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, on Monday as part of its ongoing regional Sumvaad series, brought together key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and the startup ecosystem to chart a collaborative roadmap for the region’s next phase of innovation-led growth.

The conclave held at O-Hub, Bhubaneswar, witnessed the launch of the AIM-Odisha Chapter, a collaborative platform bringing together Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) and Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs) across Odisha, according to an official statement.

The initiative is designed to create greater opportunities for startups while further enriching Odisha’s innovation ecosystem by strengthening inter-incubator collaboration through shared access to programmes, infrastructure, mentors, investors, strategic partners, and ecosystem resources.

In the keynote address, Chithra Arumugam, Additional Chief Secretary, Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha, highlighted the Eastern region’s growing prominence in the national innovation landscape and underscored the importance of collaborative ecosystems, institutional partnerships, and policy-led interventions in nurturing globally competitive startup ecosystems.

Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, while addressing the gathering in a virtual mode, said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently envisioned innovation as the foundation of a Viksit Bharat. Atal Innovation Mission is translating that vision into action by strengthening innovation ecosystems beyond metropolitan centres and empowering every region to become a growth engine. Regional collaborations such as AIM SUMVAAD are creating platforms where institutions, incubators, entrepreneurs, and governments work together to unlock local strengths, generate high-impact enterprises, and build an innovation-driven India from the grassroots upward.”

Welcoming the participants, Program Lead, Atal Innovation Mission, Pramit Dash, set the tone for the conclave by emphasising the importance of regional partnerships in advancing entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable economic development across Eastern India.

The conclave witnessed active participation from Atal Incubation Centres and Atal Community Innovation Centres across Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, reflecting the growing momentum for regional collaboration and reinforcing the importance of interconnected innovation ecosystems in driving entrepreneurship across Eastern India.

The day-long programme featured policy briefings, industry dialogues, ecosystem huddles, and thematic sessions under the theme “Purvodaya- Building an Ecosystem for Sunrise Sectors.” Deliberations focused on strengthening state startup ecosystems, enabling collaborative innovation, promoting grassroots entrepreneurship in aspirational districts, and unlocking opportunities in high-growth sectors including mining, biotechnology, and life sciences.

–IANS

sps/uk