Shillong: The Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with PRIME Rural and the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), inaugurated RURALPRENEUR ’25 on Tuesday at the State Central Library in Shillong.
The two-day event, which runs until August 20, brings together rural entrepreneurs, policymakers, industry experts, and partner institutions to celebrate entrepreneurial success stories and strengthen the state’s business ecosystem.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, addressing the inaugural session, reflected on Meghalaya’s entrepreneurial journey over the past seven years.
He recalled that the state began promoting entrepreneurship in 2018 through the Chief Minister’s Entrepreneurship Prize, which offered Rs. 1 lakh each month to budding business owners.
“From that modest beginning, we moved toward building a culture of entrepreneurship—a culture of taking calculated risks, finding opportunities in challenges, and moving beyond dependence on government jobs,” he said.
Sharing his own experiences as a young entrepreneur in the late 1990s, Sangma spoke about starting an internet service provider with limited resources at a time when support systems were almost non-existent.
“Even a word of encouragement would have meant so much. Those struggles shaped the policies I design today because I understand how even small support can make the difference between giving up and holding on,” he said.
The chief minister highlighted that more than Rs. 1,700 crore has been invested in entrepreneurs through initiatives such as PRIME Urban, PRIME Rural, PRIME Collectives, CM Elevate, and skilling programmes.
He added that beyond funding, the focus is on building ecosystems, creating market linkages, and providing mentorship.
“Self-help groups and skilling programs are now pathways to micro-entrepreneurship. SHGs that once handled Rs. 30 crore now manage over Rs. 1,000 crore. We are setting up food processing units, PRIME hubs, and other infrastructure across the state,” he said.
Calling on entrepreneurs to persist despite challenges, Sangma stressed that many businesses fail not because of weak ideas but because founders stop trying.
“If you believe in your idea, keep going. We will stand with you,” he assured.
He also urged institutions, schools, and government departments to actively support local entrepreneurs, even pledging that Christmas hampers sent to national leaders this year will feature products made by local businesses along with their stories.
Sangma praised the partnership with the SELCO Foundation, which has powered rural health centres with solar energy, improving services and saving lives.
He noted that the Rs. 18 crore support package includes a loan component, a 25% SELCO subsidy, MBMA grants, and contributions from entrepreneurs themselves.
“I place on record my appreciation to SELCO for their transformative work,” he said.
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The opening day featured the signing of MoUs with partner institutions, launch of the PRIME Rural B2B Catalogue, distribution of cheques to MBMA–SELCO beneficiaries, and certificates for PRIME Fellows and Associates, alongside networking workshops, panel discussions, and cultural performances.
Day two will include block-level networking sessions, onboarding for UDYAM and GEM, packaging and business registration workshops, and cultural programmes by entrepreneurs, culminating in a closing ceremony.
Describing RURALPRENEUR ’25 as a milestone for Meghalaya, the chief minister said the event not only showcases inspiring stories but also strengthens the ecosystem needed for rural enterprises to thrive.
