New Delhi: A wave of tribal innovation took centre stage at the recently concluded ‘Startup Mahakumbh’ in the capital, where 45 startups led by tribal entrepreneurs showcased their growing footprint in India’s startup ecosystem.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in a statement on Sunday, said the event marked a significant milestone in promoting tribal entrepreneurship and building a robust support ecosystem.
Among the highlights were two tribal-led ventures, incubated at IIM Kolkata and IIT Guwahati, that received national awards presented by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram congratulated the awardees for their “exemplary innovation and commitment to community-driven growth,” and applauded all participants for representing the vision and potential of tribal India on a national platform.
Gangtok-based OurGuest Travels, the first Online Travel Aggregator (OTA) from the northeast, was honoured with the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Award.
The platform curates unique travel experiences and offers stays across Sikkim, North Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
With over 600 homestays, 50+ guides, and more than 6,000 travellers served, the startup plays a key role in promoting eco-tourism and supporting rural livelihoods.
Ngurie Organic, incubated at IIT Guwahati, was recognised with the AgriTech Award for its pioneering work in sustainable agriculture.
By leveraging data-driven research, precision farming techniques, and blockchain-enabled transparency, the startup aims to empower farmers with innovative and scalable solutions.
The three-day event also featured a high-impact panel discussion titled “Investing in Bharat: Unlocking Startup Potential Beyond the Metro,” with participation from leading voices in India’s startup and investment ecosystem.
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A design thinking workshop, led by IIT Delhi faculty, helped tribal startups refine their business strategies.
The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to 45 tribal founders, 100 students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), and 150 tribal scholars currently pursuing higher education.
Participants also attended a startup bootcamp at IIT Delhi and took part in exposure visits across various startup hubs.
