Arunachal Pradesh CM announces new initiatives to boost startup ecosystem

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has announced several initiatives to strengthen the state’s startup and investment ecosystem. Key among these is the Arunachal Creative Economy (ACE) programme, designed to help young entrepreneurs transform creative ideas into viable businesses, and the Institute for Transforming Arunachal (ITA). Khandu described the ITA as a “mini NITI Aayog” for the state, intended to bring together subject experts to guide policymaking in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and allied activities.

During the commencement of the fifth cohort of the Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Programme (APEDP), the Chief Minister also inaugurated satellite incubation cells at seven higher education institutions and oversaw new memoranda of understanding with five additional institutions. To support growth, Khandu indicated he is engaging with venture capitalists to organize a conference for local startups to meet potential investors.

Additionally, the Chief Minister directed officials to explore incentives for startups transitioning into private limited companies or limited liability partnerships. The APEDP, which has supported over 150 startups since its 2021 launch, will now double its intake from 50 to 100 startups and increase seed funding levels.