TIFT hosts design thinking workshop to strengthen startup ecosystem in Tripura

The Tripura Institution for Transformation (TIFT), under the Department of Good Governance of Tripura, successfully organized a day-long design thinking workshop titled “Design for Impact: Implementing the Tripura Startup Policy” at the State Guest House, Agartala.

The event was conducted in collaboration with the IIM Calcutta Innovation Park represented by the CEO, Dr Subhrangshu Sanyal and his colleagues.

The workshop was graced by Paramananda Sarkar Banerjee, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister, and Kiran Gitte, Secretary of Department of Good Governance.

Speaking on the occasion, Paramananda Sarkar Banerjee stated that such an initiative was long overdue and complemented TIFT for taking the lead in organizing this important and timely event. He emphasized that platforms like these are essential to drive meaningful change in the state’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Speaking in the programme, Kiran Gitte underscored the importance of the design thinking approach in making public policies more action-oriented, practical, and responsive to the needs of stakeholders. He encouraged all participants to adopt this approach in policy design and implementation.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders from across the startup ecosystem— early-stage entrepreneurs, government officials, financial institutions, academia, and policymakers. Through focused group discussions and hands-on exercises, participants explored core challenges facing startups in Tripura and co-developed innovative, design led solutions. Key themes included strengthening institutional support, enhancing access to finance, building robust incubation infrastructure, and fostering innovation-led entrepreneurship.

The participatory format led to the generation of several actionable frameworks and policy inputs, which will serve as critical enablers in the effective implementation of the Tripura Startup Policy. The workshop was widely appreciated by all attendees, who recognized it as a significant step towards building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable startup ecosystem in Tripura.