Bhubaneswar, November 10: Odisha and Japan have taken a significant step towards strengthening startup and business cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between an Odisha-based startup and a business organisation from Japan’s Tottori Prefecture.

A delegation from Tottori Prefecture visited Startup Odisha at O-Hub in Bhubaneswar on November 10 to explore opportunities for international business collaboration, institutional partnerships and cross-border linkages.

The delegation included Toru Sasaki, Director General, Department of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Tottori Prefectural Government; Yoshioka, Director, San-in Godo Bank Co. Ltd.; and Kazuhiko Ikeda, President, Tottori Prefectural Industrial Promotion Organization, along with representatives of Japanese companies.

During the visit, Sustainability Leaders Odisha Pvt. Ltd., an Odisha-based startup, signed an MoU with ONESTRUCTION Inc., a business organisation from Tottori, marking a step towards concrete business collaboration between enterprises from the two regions. The agreement follows initial discussions during the Tottori delegation’s visit to Odisha on July 30, 2026, and subsequent engagements.

Odisha MSME and Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik addressed the gathering and emphasised the importance of promoting entrepreneurship and expanding business opportunities through international cooperation.

Rashmita Panda, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the MSME Department and Chairperson of Startup Odisha, highlighted the state government's commitment to strengthening the startup ecosystem, encouraging innovation and facilitating international partnerships.

The programme began with a welcome address by Startup Odisha CEO Smruti Ranjan Pradhan, followed by addresses from members of the Japanese delegation. The visitors also explored the Startup Showcase Stall, where they witnessed innovative products, technologies and entrepreneurial initiatives developed by Odisha-based startups.

A video presentation showcased Odisha's startup ecosystem, government initiatives and institutional support mechanisms for nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.

Several Odisha-based startups also presented their products, technologies and business solutions to the visiting delegation. This was followed by Business-to-Business (B2B) interactions between startups from Odisha and companies from Tottori, focusing on potential partnerships, market opportunities and business collaborations.

The discussions covered key sectors, including agriculture, construction, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, sustainability and healthcare.

The visit is expected to strengthen international linkages, promote business networking and provide global exposure to Odisha's emerging enterprises, further deepening cooperation between the startup and innovation ecosystems of Odisha and Japan.