Kolkata: Seventeen start-ups from India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh are participating in a three-day workshop organised by the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata and KIIT-Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI) here on Wednesday.
The workshop was launched under the aegis of the Regional Startup Network (RSN) project, for its second cohort, showcasing a dedication to catalyzing innovation and fostering entrepreneurship across the Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking on the event and appreciating the initiative, U.S. Consul General Melinda Pavek said, As we embark on the third phase of the Regional Startup Network program, I am deeply impressed by the relentless dedication and drive of innovation and entrepreneurship present here.
She said, This workshop serves as a pivotal platform empowering startups from India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh with essential skills and networks vital for their advancement in diverse industries. It reflects our collective commitment of the U.S. Consulate and implementing partners KIIT-Technology Business Incubator towards fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Indo-Pacific region, nurturing talent, and fostering innovation for a prosperous future.
The inaugural session, slated on December 13, 2023 at the American Center, Kolkata, welcomed esteemed Guests of Honour and Special Guests, including industry luminaries such as Dr. Mrutyunjay Suar (CEO, KIIT-TBI), Dr. Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay (VC – Sister Nivedita University), Ananya Bhattacharya (Co-Founder Director, Banglanatak), and Surya N. Mishra (Regional Director, ICSI).
Additionally, the session was attended by Rimjhim Ray (Co-Founder and CMO of HeyoPhone) and Sunil Saha (Founder, CEO of Blue Tea), poised to inspire and provide invaluable insights to the startups.
Speaking to IBNS, Tandin Tshewang, CEO, Bhutan Healthcare, said he started his company, which manufactures face masks, at a time when the country was facing a shortage of masks during the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020.
We manufacture face masks. I got the opportunity to participate in the workshop today after a competitive selection process which was held in Bhutan, he said.
After participating in the workshop, we expect this event will help us in developing our business model and revenue stream, he said.
We will continue to connect with our mentors and investors, he said.
Nishant Anjum Palka, CEO, MommyKidz, who was participating in the workshop from Bangladesh, said she expects that the event will benefit her as she could learn by interacting with entrepreneurs from various nations.
We expect that this workshop will benefit us as we can interact with experts from various countries. I hope this event will help me in improving my work, she said.
(Reporting by Supriyo Hazra)
