India News | Pradhan Inaugurates I-Hub Foundation at IIM-Sambalpur

Sambalpur (Odisha), March 1 (PTI) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Friday inaugurated the I-Hub Foundation, an incubation centre, at IIM-Sambalpur.

The foundation will play a pivotal role in nurturing and supporting innovative ventures across diverse sectors, including textiles, art and culture, agriculture, healthcare, financial and digital inclusivity, tribal entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

Also Read | Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2024: NPP to Field 30 Candidates in Vidhan Sabha Polls.

Pradhan also launched the Sambalpur chapter of '100 Cube' start-ups to establish 100 start-ups on its premises, each with an approximate valuation of Rs 100 crore, by Odisha's centennial celebration in 2036.

"Start-ups... are the wealth creators, jobs creators, and creators of economic opportunities for the bottom of society," Pradhan said.

Also Read | Haryana Shocker: Man Smothers Eight-Year-Old Niece, Buries Body in Field in Nuh; Arrested.

Stating that healthcare, textile, agriculture, mines, and minerals are the priority sectors for start-ups, Pradhan said that education institutions like IIM Sambalpur are natural places for mentorship, given the talent pool of the faculty.

"There is no shortage of resources in the country today. However, the challenge lies in linking resources with new ideas and incubation centres like I-Hub will facilitate this," he said.

"Our unique proposition focuses on promoting local art, culture, and intellectual industry in regions rich in mineral and mining resources. We aim to add value to these sectors. Moreover, we are working towards establishing Odisha as a hub for start-ups and entrepreneurs," the Director of IIM Sambalpur, Mahadeo Jaiswal, said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)