By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 5: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday said Meghalaya has emerged as one of the leading startup ecosystems in the country, a transformation that would have been difficult to imagine just seven to eight years ago.
Addressing the Onboarding and Graduation Programme titled “Graduating Legends, Welcoming Game-Changers,” organised by PRIME Meghalaya at Ward’s Lake here, he reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship as a key driver of economic and social development.
Sangma said despite having addressed entrepreneurs on numerous occasions, his passion and belief in entrepreneurship have remained constant. He emphasised the transformative role entrepreneurship plays in shaping society, strengthening the state’s economy, and contributing to national growth.
He expressed pride in sharing that Meghalaya’s startup programmes have been recognised by the central government for consecutive years, with the state being awarded for having one of the best startup ecosystems in the country.
Describing the achievement as “unbelievable and unexpected,” he said it reflected the progress Meghalaya has made in building an enabling environment for entrepreneurs.
He reminisced about his own entrepreneurial journey, stating that he had experienced the same uncertainty, excitement, and challenges that young entrepreneurs face today. He added that he could deeply relate to the experiences shared by startup founders at the event, particularly the sense of creating something meaningful from scratch and making a difference in people’s lives.
Observing the participants, the Chief Minister said he could see the same spark, excitement, and determination in their eyes. Entrepreneurship is challenging but it is also one of the most rewarding paths one can pursue, he added.
Explaining a symbolic gesture during the programme, he said he chose to personally shake hands with each entrepreneur rather than take a group photograph. The gesture, he said, was meant to reassure them that while challenges are inevitable, the government would stand by them throughout their entrepreneurial journey.
He reminded the entrepreneurs that their journey is only beginning and that many challenges lie ahead.
Referring to PRIME, the state’s flagship entrepreneurship initiative, he said it has been designed to guide and support entrepreneurs through uncertainty and obstacles. While not all problems can be solved, he assured that the PRIME team would always be available to provide guidance and support.
Sangma reaffirmed his firm belief in entrepreneurship and its power to transform lives, communities, and the future of Meghalaya.
On the occasion, he released the PRIME Catalogue and presented awards to selected entrepreneurs who successfully established their ventures and generated employment. The award included a financial grant of Rs 1 lakh along with a certificate.
Additionally, financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh was distributed to beneficiaries selected under PRIME to support them in setting up their enterprises.
The programme celebrated the Top 75 Startups selected through the Chief Minister’s E-Championship Challenge 6.0 as they begin their incubation journey and also marked the graduation of 75 Startups of Cohort 5 for their achievements and dedication.
In his address, Commissioner & Secretary Dr Vijay Kumar D said the hardest and the most exciting factor is entrepreneurship promotion as Meghalaya is not a fertile ground for entrepreneurship because of its distance from natural markets but added that through the persistence and innovation of entrepreneurs, the state has now embarked on the entrepreneurship journey. He spoke about the exponential growth and diversity of the entrepreneurial programmes of Meghalaya that have impacted not only its growth and economy but the lives of youth and women and in general, the people of the state.
The chief minister also launched the PRIME Entrepreneur Catalogue and awarded the Top Performers of the Incubation Programme in various categories and also felicitated graduating startups of Cohort 5 and Cohort 6 during the occasion.
