New Delhi: The Union Minister of Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, officially launched the two-day 100 Cube Start-up Conclave at the IIT Bhubaneswar Research and Entrepreneurship Park (REP). The event witnessed the presence of key figures such as Secretary of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Sanjay K. Murthy; Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy, Sanjay Kumar; Director of IIT Bhubaneswar, Shreepad Karmalkar; Chairman of the Board of Governors, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Singh; as well as representatives from foreign governments, industry delegates, academia, start-ups, students, and other distinguished business leaders.
In his address to the audience, Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the significance of inaugurating the Research & Entrepreneurship Park at IIT Bhubaneswar, considering it a milestone for Odisha. The 100 Cube Conclave, according to him, establishes the groundwork for fostering the entrepreneurial spirit in eastern India. Drawing parallels with the Konark temple’s architectural excellence in Odisha, he envisioned this initiative as a 21st-century temple that would inspire and support youth in dreaming big, innovating, and creating value.
He acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s youth-focused initiatives, ensuring that the current era becomes a golden age for the younger generation. Expressing gratitude to corporate entities and investors for their MoUs and generous contributions, he urged them to mentor the youth. Emphasizing the world’s hopeful outlook towards India and its youth, he stressed the need for an enabling ecosystem with a whole-of-society approach.
The Minister asserted that innovation is ingrained in Odia society’s DNA, and academic institutions possess the potential to address global challenges. Initiatives like 100 Cube Odisha, he stated, would unlock the untapped potential of the youth, fostering solution-driven innovation and a start-up revolution. Pradhan highlighted the collaborative role of youth, faculty, and industry in driving this initiative, inviting everyone to leave a legacy of innovation and enterprise.
Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated a new auditorium, digitally laid the foundation stone for various infrastructure projects, and witnessed the exchange of MoUs between 16 startups and REP. Additionally, four startups incubated at IIT Bhubaneswar received grant cheques from Oil India Ltd. A startup product exhibition was organized, attended by dignitaries before the Conclave’s inauguration.
The current focus areas of the REP encompass Health & BioTech, Battery/EV/ClimateTech, Artificial intelligence (building models and applications), SpaceTech, Drones, UAVs, Semi-conductors, and Enterprise software (Developer Infra/Tools, Info/Enterprise Security).
Earlier in the day, five parallel sessions addressed topics such as 100 Cube: Confluence of Culture, Entrepreneurship, and Vision; 100 Cube: Industry Catalyst Igniting Purvodaya Start-up Mission; Nurturing New Ideas for Viksit Bharat @2047; Industry Startup Relationship: Nurturing a Successful Partnership, and Sustainable Approach for Institutionalizing Innovation and Startup Ecosystem Development in Educational Institutions.
On February 10, 2024, Dharmendra Pradhan engaged in a fireside chat, sharing insights on building a robust ecosystem for entrepreneurs and startups. This informal conversation served as a prelude to the Conclave’s inauguration. During the discussion, he emphasized that Odisha and eastern India possess abundant talent and ideas. The Conclave, he envisioned, would catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship, providing a platform for youth to make a lasting impact with their talents. Pradhan highlighted Bhubaneswar’s potential as a knowledge hub in Eastern India, serving as a bridge between knowledge and 21st-century opportunities. The initiative aims to make Bhubaneswar and Odisha a hub for solution-centric start-ups, propelling Purvoday, contributing to India’s growth, and ensuring global well-being.