ITANAGAR, Oct 13: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday announced a series of initiatives to strengthen Arunachal Pradesh’s startup ecosystem, including the Arunachal Creative Economy (ACE) programme and the Institute for Transforming Arunachal (ITA), an expert think tank envisioned as a “mini NITI Aayog” for the State.

The announcements were made during a programme marking the graduation of Cohort 4 and the commencement of Cohort 5 of the Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Programme (APEDP), the inauguration of satellite incubation cells in seven higher education institutions and the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with five more institutions.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, the Chief Secretary, Planning and Investment Commissioner, Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park (APIIP) CEO Tabe Haider, a representative of NITI Aayog, senior officials and young entrepreneurs attended the event.

Khandu said the ACE programme, to be initiated through the Chief Minister’s Office, would help young people transform creative ideas into viable enterprises. The ITA would bring together subject experts to provide policy guidance in sectors such as agriculture and allied activities and tourism.

He also announced plans to convene a conference with venture capitalists to enable Arunachal-based startups to pitch their business ideas to potential investors.

The Chief Minister directed the Planning and Investment Department and the APEDP cell to consult the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on possible State incentives, including income tax-related support, for startups transitioning from proprietorships to private limited companies or limited liability partnerships. A policy decision is expected in the coming days.

He also asked the Chief Secretary to organise workshops for APEDP alumni to help them access national and international markets through digital platforms. The APIIP CEO was directed to expedite the park’s conversion into a Section 8 company.

Launched in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, APEDP has helped establish more than 150 startups, Khandu said. The programme’s annual intake has been doubled from 50 to 100 startups, while seed funding has been enhanced from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 8 lakh. Around 100 entrepreneurs in Cohort 5 will undergo nine months of incubation at APIIP, with mentorship from reputed institutions, including the Indian Institute of Management.

Highlighting the achievements of programme alumni, Khandu cited Arunachal Ivory and Ornaments, known for its 3D-printed replicas of traditional animal headgear, which featured in the Prime Minister’s 113th episode of Mann Ki Baat and received a Rs 10 lakh grant under the AIC-SMUTBI Digi Sapne Programme.

Other successful ventures included KT Marketing of Ziro, winner of the Bharat Entrepreneur Award 2025; Popil Tunes, selected for the STPI Octane Programme 2025; House of Macnok of Pasighat, selected for a consulting project with the University of Oklahoma, USA; CK Bliss Health & Rhythm, which received an appreciation letter from the Governor; and Mete Foods and Slot Allot, included in the North Eastern Council’s list of the top 50 incubated startups.

Satellite incubation cells were inaugurated virtually at Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh University at Pasighat, Arunachal University of Studies at Namsai, NIT Jote, NEDIS at Nirjuli, Dera Natung Government College at Itanagar and Dorjee Khandu Government College at Tawang. MoUs were signed with Donyi Polo Government College, Kamki; Government College, Bomdila; Indira Gandhi Government College, Tezu; Government Model College, Seppa; and St Claret College, Ziro.

Khandu also launched the YES (Youth Empowerment Sphere) Arunachal portal, a single-window platform hosted by APIIP to provide access to Central and State government schemes. He urged young people to participate in the National Innovation Challenge under the Sewa Sankalp Abhiyan and acknowledged NITI Aayog’s support in establishing Atal Tinkering Labs in schools.

Encouraging entrepreneurs to explore the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, he highlighted government support schemes, including UNNATI, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana, Chief Minister Paryatan Vikas Yojana and the Atmanirbhar schemes for agriculture, horticulture and fisheries.

On the State’s economic prospects, Khandu said hydropower projects with a combined capacity of around 19,000 MW were at various stages of development. Five mineral blocks, including graphite and vanadium, had been auctioned, while further mineral exploration, including rare earth deposits, was planned.

Under the Rising North East Investment Summit, five investments worth Rs 809 crore had been grounded, while proposed investments worth Rs 7,941 crore were being pursued. He appealed to local communities to support investors and help make Arunachal Pradesh an investor-friendly destination.

Khandu also highlighted the role of women-led development and the self-help group movement, which involves around 1.5 lakh active women, in strengthening the State’s economy.

Urging entrepreneurs to improve business management, he advised them to engage chartered accountants, maintain annual balance sheets and file income tax returns even when no tax was payable. He also called for greater value addition and digital marketing of products covered by the State’s 20 Geographical Indication tags.

Congratulating Cohort 4 graduates and welcoming Cohort 5, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to entrepreneurship, innovation and a stronger rural economy as part of the vision of Viksit Arunachal by 2047. (Source: EoA)