The MeitY TIDE 2.0 Northeast Techathon – X4, Northeast India’s largest hunt for ICT-based business ideas, organised by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, was successfully concluded recently, covering five states in Northeast India. Spanning the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland from August 29 to September 20, 2024, the idea hunt series aimed to identify, nurture and celebrate innovative ideas, while equipping entrepreneurs with essential skills and mentorship.

Each state hosted a two-day event, beginning with a workshop by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) focused on effective pitching techniques, which helped the participants sharpen their presentation skills in preparation for the final pitching session on Day 2. Additionally, local startup founders from each hosting state shared their entrepreneurial journeys, providing inspiration and valuable insights to the participants

On Day 2, participants pitched their ideas to a distinguished jury, which selected three winners from each state. The events blended learning, motivation and competition, culminating in the discovery of some of the most promising startups in Northeast India.

The Techathon showcased impressive talent across the region. In Assam, the event held at Gauhati University Institute of Science and Technology on August 30 and 31, saw Hatk Media LLP, Stemcorp Dynamics LLP and Gentledental.ai emerge as the winners. The subsequent event in Assam at Jorhat Engineering College on September 19 and 20 recognised Outplayed, AgroNexa and Telescope Records as winners.

Arunachal Pradesh’s event at Rajiv Gandhi University on August 29 and 30 awarded Paradise on Wheels, InstaLaw and Ninur Farms AI. In Nagaland, the YouthNet Incubation Centre hosted participants on September 9 and 10, where Earthian Ki, Kiphire Mart and Splinxify (Coders Hope) walked away as winners. Meghalaya’s PRIME Hub in Shillong held its event on September 4 and 5, with Dejame Creacion, Iewduh Techz and Recycle Bazzar taking the winning spotlight. In Mizoram, the Mizoram Startup Hub celebrated Hinside, Style n Pose and 3D Printing Solution as winners on September 12 and 13.

The MeitY TIDE 2.0 Northeast Techathon series has been playing a remarkable role in fostering the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem across the Northeast, providing a vital platform for bright minds to showcase their ideas and gain essential guidance. The response received by the program is a testament to the region’s potential for innovation and entrepreneurship.