Odisha emerged as East India's leading startup hub with 27+ incubators attracting ₹370 crore external investments. Ecosystem led by O-HUB (Odisha Startup Hub, 4 lakh sq ft government incubator accommodating 400 startups) and BCKIC Foundation (Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster, PSA-led S&T Cluster under PM-STIAC). Startup Odisha (MSME Department) coordinates network targeting 5,000 startups by 2027 with ₹100 crore Fund of Funds managed by SIDBI. Bhubaneswar ranked #1 Smart City mission, #3 World Bank ease of business (2009), hosts IIT/NIT/IIIT/IIM/AIIMS/NISER creating talent advantages while maintaining lower costs than saturated metros.
O-HUB: India's Largest Government Incubator
Odisha Startup Hub (O-HUB) positioned as state's centralized "One-Stop Destination for Startups, Entrepreneurs, and Innovators" wholly owned and operated by Government of Odisha under Startup Odisha, MSME Department.
O-HUB Infrastructure Specifications
Scale: 4 lakh sq ft (largest government incubator India), capacity 400 startups | Location: Tower-A, SEZ Road, Chandaka, Bhubaneswar 751024
- Facilities: State-of-art plug-and-play infrastructure, world-class co-working spaces, virtual incubation, pre-incubation and physical incubation support
- Labs & Manufacturing: Fab Lab for ideation/design/simulation/fabrication, modular manufacturing facilities, Centers of Excellence (CoE) for R&D
- Support Services: Expert mentoring, funding facilitation (Banks, FIs, Angels, VCs), business development, subsidized pricing
- Programs: Sector-specific and agnostic programs in collaboration with global incubator/accelerator partners
- Post-Graduation: Continued support from Startup Odisha for scaling and procurement opportunities after O-HUB graduation
Contact: Email: startup.odisha@gov.in, startupodisha.gov@startupodisha.org.in | Toll-free: 1800-345-7100 | Phone: 0674-2586176 | Hours: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM Mon-Sat | Toll-free Helpline: 7 AM - 10 PM daily except national holidays | Website: ohub.odisha.gov.in
Startup Odisha Policy Incentives (2016, Amended 2018)
Recognized startups access comprehensive support: Subsidized Incubation Space in government incubators, Event Participation Assistance (economy class airfare or 3-tier AC train fare plus free stall space for national/international events representing state), Monthly Allowance for first three months (direct payment to registered bank account monthly, then quarterly based on utilization reports), Utility Expense Reimbursement (one-time payment), Monetary Grants for approved incubators (disbursed in phased manner per budget/utilization plan proportional to incubator's fund contribution). New policy under government consideration emphasizing ESG factors, sustainable/green technologies, aligned with DPIIT States Startup Ranking framework and global best practices. Target: enable 5,000 startups within five years creating world-class startup hub by 2027.
KIIT-TBI: #1 Bio-Incubation Private Sector
Rankings: NITI Aayog #1 Bio-incubation Private Sector (2019, 2020, 2021) | National IP Award Best Incubator (2021-22)
- Scale: 100+ startup support, 15+ government programs as implementing partner
- Government Programs: BIRAC BIG Grant, MeitY GENESIS EiR 2.0, SAMRIDH 2.0 Accelerator, DST NIDHI-CoE, TIDE 2.0 (MeitY), MSME-BI, SPARSH Centre (BIRAC), NIDHI PRAYAS Centre
- Specialization: Biotechnology, medical devices, healthcare innovations - TTO by BIRAC/DBT under NBM, BRTC by BIRAC GoI
- Success Stories: Mediklik Webhealth (CDSCO license for ICU ventilators under SAMRIDH/BIRAC BIG/SEED Fund), BabyCue (Tata Social Enterprise Challenge Healthcare Prize under BIRAC BIG/MeitY SAMRIDH), Molpath diagnostics
- Recent Programs: Navigyaan 2025 Bhubaneswar (ARAI-AMTIF Incubator Partner), Advanced Analytical Techniques workshop (Agilent Technologies), tailored mentoring for GENESIS EiR startups
- Network: Nodal Incubator by Startup Odisha, National Blue Economy Conference Feb 2024 partner (KIIT University with Indian Phycological Society, DBT-ILS, CSIR-IMMT, CSIR-NIO, BCKIC)
Website: kiitincubator.in | Location: KIIT University, Bhubaneswar
BCKIC Foundation: S&T Cluster Model
Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC) Foundation established Section 8 company February 18, 2022 as flagship initiative by Office of Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to Government of India guided by Prime Minister's Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).
BCKIC Hub & Spoke Model
Mission: Create seamless connections among research institutions, academia, industry partners, startups, MSMEs, NGOs, foundations, governments, international organizations | CEO: Dr. Prashant Singh
- Six Thematic Verticals: Affordable Healthcare, STEM Education, Waste-to-Value, Future Economy (Blue & Green Economy), Sustainable Tribal Livelihood Network, Critical Minerals & Polymer Interventions
- Consortium Approach: Address regional/global challenges through consortium-based collaborations, leveraging complementary stakeholder strengths, unified expertise/technical know-how while preserving internal autonomy
- Impact Metrics: 10K+ innovators reached, 100+ programs/workshops, 100+ startups supported, 20+ patents facilitated, 30+ technologies deployed, ₹10 crore+ funds raised/facilitated, 10+ forest commodities commercialized, 15+ NE institutions in Hub & Spoke
- S&T Cluster Network: Part of seven S&T Clusters (Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Northern Region, Pune) serving as global technology hubs facilitating development-to-commercialization spectrum
- Recent Initiatives: RuTAGe Centre Ganjam for rural enterprises (Jan 2026), India-UAE Startup Bridge (Jan 2026), National Blue Economy Conference (Feb 2024)
Contact: Website: bckic.in | Social: Twitter @BCKIC, LinkedIn Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster Foundation
BCKIC Startup Support Framework
Post-Incubation Deployment: Aid startups deploying solutions with government/corporate partnerships, streamline regulatory compliance/procurement processes, facilitate partnerships and funding opportunities for scalability. Industry-Academia Catalysis: Facilitate strategic partnerships, translate industry needs into actionable research, mobilize funding/commercialization support for research breakthroughs. Capacity Building: Conduct need-based workshops/training programs, promote stakeholder best practices, establish entrepreneurship support programs. Infrastructure Development: Spearhead state-specific scientific infrastructure development, establish scalable/replicable expansion models, attract higher investments generating large-scale employment. Fair IP Framework: Implementation of fair IP sharing in joint projects ensuring startup protection.
Ready to Access Odisha's Cluster Ecosystem?
Get expert guidance on O-HUB facility access, BCKIC consortium partnerships, Startup Odisha incentive applications, and strategic positioning in East India's emerging hub.
Get StartedStartup Odisha: Ecosystem Coordination
Headquarters: 2nd Floor, Tower-A, Odisha Startup Incubation Centre (O-HUB), SEZ Road, Chandaka 751024, Bhubaneswar | Leadership: Chairman Hemant Sharma (Additional Chief Secretary MSME Department), Joint Secretary Kamaljit Das OAS(S)
Nodal Agency: Startup Odisha operates under MSME Department, Government of Odisha as nodal agency for startup/innovation ecosystem development implementing Odisha Startup Policy (2016, amended 2018).
Recent Initiatives: X-Change Programme (June 2025) brought Startup Odisha-recognized incubators together for knowledge sharing/ecosystem alignment. Launchpad 2025: Incubator Induction & Capacity Building Programme formally inducted nine newly recognized incubators into network with strategic insights from Rajesh Kumar Adla (CEO AIC T-Hub).
Fund of Funds: ₹100 crore Odisha Startup Growth Fund with SIDBI as fund manager targeting seed-stage capital requirements for 5,000 startups over five years. State government consistently replenishes fund ensuring continuous long-term support. ₹10 crore seed funding accessible to startups incubated in O-HUB. Eight Odisha incubators received Startup India Seed Fund.
Corporate Partnerships: Facebook partnership training 25,000 women SMEs/SHG entrepreneurs. TiE Silicon Valley promotes Odisha/startups during flagship events. Strategic partnerships for agro startup mentoring, social innovation, tourism.
Additional Notable Incubators
IIT Bhubaneswar TBI: Premier technical institute backing with research facilities, faculty expertise, government credibility for technical innovations requiring academic resources.
NIT Rourkela TBI: Engineering research capabilities, established technical institute reputation, regional Rourkela presence expanding geographic coverage beyond Bhubaneswar.
IIM Sambalpur: Management expertise for business strategy, financial planning, scaling frameworks complementing technical incubators.
IIIT Bhubaneswar: IT/ITES specialization, software development expertise, digital solutions focus aligned with Bhubaneswar's ICT cluster (Infosys, TCS, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, Mindtree presence).
Strategic Location Advantages
Bhubaneswar Rankings: #1 Smart City Mission India (Barcelona Smart City Expo #4 globally), #3 World Bank Doing Business Subnational India 2009, #5 ease of starting business, #1 ease of exporting/importing, #5 ease of closing business, #6 GIREM suitable business destination, #54 Tholons outsourcing destinations worldwide 2013.
Educational Infrastructure: IIT Bhubaneswar, NIT Rourkela, IIIT Bhubaneswar, IIM Sambalpur, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, NISER (National Institute of Science Education and Research), Xavier University, XIMB creating talent pipeline. State produces 126,000 technical manpower annually from 773 technical training institutions.
Industry Clusters: IT hub (Infosys, TCS, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, Mindtree, local firms Mindfire, Tcubes, Tatwa), manufacturing clusters (Angul, Paradeep, Gopalpur, Kalinganagar, Jharsuguda), ESDM, textiles, chemicals, plastics/petrochemicals, food processing, ancillary/downstream industries. East Coast Railway (ECR) headquarters, NALCO (Navaratna PSU), Dhamara Port Company Ltd.
Connectivity: International Airport with direct flights Delhi/Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai/Bangalore/Hyderabad/Visakhapatnam/Coimbatore, international Kuala Lumpur route. UDAN Scheme expanding Rourkela/Jharsuguda/Jeypore/Utkela connectivity. 480 km coastline with major ports Paradeep/Dhamra/Gopalpur enabling manufacturing/export. East Coast Railways headquarters ensuring rail connectivity.
Quality of Life: Emerging healthcare destination (AIIMS, Apollo, AMRI, CARE, LV Prasad Eye Institute), international schools, research facilities, malls/hotels/restaurants, sports facilities (Asian Athletics Championship, Hockey World Cup venues), 34% forest cover creating environment-friendly setting, tranquil beaches, tourism destinations.
Strategic Incubator Selection Framework
By Program Type: Government Infrastructure: O-HUB (subsidized space, Fab Lab, CoE, modular manufacturing, 400 capacity). Consortium Partnerships: BCKIC Foundation (industry-academia collaborations, thematic verticals, PSA backing, regulatory support). Biotech/Healthcare: KIIT-TBI (#1 bio-incubation, BIRAC/MeitY programs, medical device expertise). Technical Research: IIT/NIT TBIs (faculty expertise, labs, academic credibility). Management Support: IIM Sambalpur (business strategy, financial planning, scaling frameworks).
By Sector Specialization: Healthcare/Medical Devices/Biotech: KIIT-TBI (NITI Aayog #1, BIRAC BIG, SAMRIDH programs), BCKIC (Affordable Healthcare vertical). IT/Software: IIIT Bhubaneswar, O-HUB (ICT cluster access). Manufacturing/Hardware: O-HUB (modular manufacturing, Fab Lab), BCKIC (Critical Minerals/Polymer vertical). Blue/Green Economy: BCKIC (Future Economy vertical, National Blue Economy Conference). Waste Management: BCKIC (Waste-to-Value vertical, environmental technologies). Rural/Tribal Development: BCKIC (Sustainable Tribal Livelihood Network, RuTAGe Centre Ganjam).
By Resource Requirements: Prototyping/Manufacturing: O-HUB (Fab Lab, modular manufacturing facilities, state-of-art equipment). R&D/Research: BCKIC (consortium access to research institutions), IIT/NIT TBIs (academic labs, faculty). Funding Access: Fund of Funds ₹100 crore (SIDBI managed), Startup India Seed Fund (8 Odisha incubators), government monetary grants/utility reimbursement/monthly allowances. Regulatory/Procurement: BCKIC (compliance streamlining, government partnership facilitation), Startup Odisha (marketplace access, event participation support). International Exposure: BCKIC (cross-border engagements, India-UAE Bridge), TiE Silicon Valley partnership.
The Bottom Line: East India's Emerging Hub
Odisha created East India's most comprehensive startup ecosystem with 27+ incubators attracting ₹370 crore external investments targeting 5,000 startups by 2027. Leadership by O-HUB (4 lakh sq ft, 400 capacity, India's largest government incubator with Fab Lab/CoE/modular manufacturing) and BCKIC Foundation (PSA-led S&T Cluster under PM-STIAC with consortium Hub & Spoke Model across six thematic verticals). Startup Odisha (MSME Department) coordinates network with ₹100 crore Fund of Funds (SIDBI managed) providing seed-stage capital plus subsidized incubation, event participation assistance, utility reimbursement, monthly allowances. KIIT-TBI ranked NITI Aayog #1 bio-incubation private sector implementing 15+ government programs (BIRAC BIG, MeitY GENESIS, SAMRIDH 2.0, DST NIDHI-CoE).
Strategic advantages distinguish Odisha: Bhubaneswar ranked #1 Smart City mission India (#4 globally Barcelona Expo), #3 World Bank ease of business creating credibility with lower saturation than Bangalore/Hyderabad/Pune enabling faster ecosystem access. Educational infrastructure (IIT/NIT/IIIT/IIM/AIIMS/NISER/Xavier producing 126,000 technical manpower annually) ensures talent availability while industry clusters (Infosys/TCS/Tech Mahindra/Wipro/Mindtree creating IT hub plus manufacturing clusters Angul/Paradeep/Gopalpur) provide pilot/partnership opportunities. 480 km coastline with major ports (Paradeep/Dhamra/Gopalpur) enables manufacturing/export operations unavailable in landlocked hubs.
Unique BCKIC S&T Cluster model (one of seven India-wide under PSA/PM-STIAC) provides consortium access connecting research institutions/academia/industry/startups/MSMEs/NGOs/governments/international organizations within Hub & Spoke framework addressing regional/global challenges through collaborative R&D. Six thematic verticals (Healthcare, STEM Education, Waste-to-Value, Blue/Green Economy, Tribal Livelihood, Critical Minerals) enable sector-specific expertise with 10K+ innovators reached, 30+ technologies deployed, fair IP sharing frameworks protecting startup interests.
Success requires strategic positioning matching program type, sector, and resources. Early-stage ventures benefit from O-HUB subsidized space/Fab Lab/CoE facilities accessing government incentives (monthly allowances, utility reimbursement, Fund of Funds). Biotech/healthcare/medical devices suit KIIT-TBI (#1 ranking, BIRAC/MeitY programs, medical device expertise with CDSCO licensing support). Research-intensive innovations requiring industry-academia collaborations match BCKIC consortium partnerships facilitating regulatory compliance, deployment support, funding mobilization. Technical ventures needing academic backing suit IIT/NIT TBIs while business strategy/scaling require IIM Sambalpur management expertise.
Working with advisors like Naraway understanding O-HUB facility allocation, BCKIC consortium engagement, Startup Odisha incentive applications, and Fund of Funds access helps navigate emerging ecosystem efficiently. Strategic support for program selection, government coordination, facility utilization, and regional positioning accelerates growth leveraging Odisha's systematic infrastructure creating advantages through patient government capital, consortium partnerships, and strategic East India location maintaining talent/industry/infrastructure access while avoiding saturation/competition of established metros focused purely on commercial returns over developmental objectives.