Tripura strengthens startup ecosystem; DIT hosts major workshop at T-NEST

In a significant push towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, the Directorate of Information Technology, Government of Tripura, organized a high-level startup workshop at the T-NEST Auditorium at Hapania in  Agartala on Monday. The initiative reflects the state’s growing commitment to building a robust and inclusive startup ecosystem.

The workshop, titled “Building Startups in Tripura: Success, Protection & Growth Capital,” was inaugurated by Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar Sinha, in the presence of Secretary of IT, Kiran Gitte and Director of IT department, Jeya Ragul Geshan B, along with other dignitaries and stakeholders.

The initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is being implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, with support from IT Minister Pranajit Singha Roy. The state has been actively promoting entrepreneurship through policy reforms and institutional support.

A key highlight of the state’s efforts is the introduction of the Tripura Start-Up Policy, 2025, which replaces the earlier IT/ITeS Start-Up Scheme, 2019. The policy is sector-agnostic and aims to promote innovation across industries. So far, nearly 118 startups have been approved under this framework, showcasing steady growth in entrepreneurial activity.

The establishment of T-NEST (Tripura: Nurturing Entrepreneurship and Startups), inaugurated on February 26, 2026, marks a major milestone. It serves as the state’s premier incubation and innovation hub, providing structured support for startups and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders.

During the workshop, the Director of IT outlined the state’s vision for startup ecosystem development, emphasising the role of T-NEST and the State Innovation Mission Tripura in nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.

In his address, Secretary IT Kiran Gitte highlighted initiatives such as the New Generation Innovation Network (NGIN), which promotes innovation in academic institutions and encourages youth-led entrepreneurship. He also cited successful entrepreneurs like Prasanta Sarkar as role models for aspiring innovators.

Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar Sinha underscored the government’s vision of positioning Tripura as an emerging destination for startups and investments. He encouraged students, entrepreneurs, and institutions to actively collaborate with the government in developing practical and scalable solutions for the state’s growth.

The workshop featured expert sessions on key aspects of startup development. Prasanta Sarkar, Co-Founder and CEO of Newtrace, shared insights from his entrepreneurial journey and discussed innovations in affordable green hydrogen solutions.

An additional session on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) was conducted by Harjeet Nath, focusing on patents, trademarks, and innovation protection. Another session on accessing growth capital was led by Manash Buragohain, who explained the Tripura Startup Venture Capital Fund (TSVCF).

The event also included felicitation of student innovators supported under NGIN and startups registered under the state policy, recognising emerging talent.

Officials noted that such initiatives have already provided platforms for startups to showcase innovations at national forums like the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. With continued policy support and institutional backing, Tripura is steadily advancing towards becoming a leading startup hub in Northeast India.

The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from startups, students, government officials, and industry stakeholders, fostering meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.