Bhubaneswar, July 6: NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) organised the Regional AIM SUMVAAD-East Chapter 2026 at O-Hub here on Monday as part of its ongoing regional Sumvaad series on Monday. The conclave 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.
The conclave 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 initiative is designed to strengthen inter-incubator collaboration through shared access to programmes, infrastructure, mentors, investors, strategic partners, and ecosystem resources, creating greater opportunities for startups while further enriching Odisha's innovation ecosystem.
The inaugural session was graced by Odisha Additional Chief Secretary (Science & Technology) Chithra Arumugam.
She highlighted Eastern regions 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 stressed 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.
Atal Innovation Mission Programme Head Pramit Dash also spoke.
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.
