NRIs launch Programme for Odia Entrepreneurs

Bhubaneswar, Feb 9 (IANS) A group of US-based non-resident Indians (NRIs) have launched an accelerator programme in Odisha to mentor and fund aspiring Odia entrepreneurs.

'Oriya accelerator' will provide mentorship by industry bigwigs, free-of-cost office space in Bhubaneswar and a range of discounted services. The accelerator targets to facilitate eight to 10 start-ups initially, one of its founders said.

It has been conceptualised to encourage the talent in our ethnic community that ultimately goes to more lucrative cities for a lack of opportunity, P.K. Samal, a founder of the initiative and CEO of US-based Divensi Inc., a multi- million dollar company told IANS.

"Our aim is to tap this talent and retain it within our state by bringing opportunities to them and letting them think out of the box towards successful start ups in Odisha," he added.

"This will also create opportunities of employment at all levels since each start-up will need manpower at all levels of organisation" he said.