100 Cube Odisha to be Mass Movement for Fostering New Culture of Ideas, Innovation: Dharmendra Pradhan

GG News Bureau
Sambalpur, 2nd March. Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, delivered a keynote address at the 100 Cube Conclave hosted at IIM Sambalpur on Friday.

During the event, he inaugurated the I-Hub foundation at IIM Sambalpur, aimed at identifying the need for a dedicated entity for incubation.

The gathering, which included Director of IIM Sambalpur Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director of IIM Mumbai Prof. Manoj Tiwari, academicians, industry leaders, innovators, and students, witnessed the screening of a short film showcasing the 100 Cube and I-Hub Foundation initiatives.

Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged between industry partners and IIM Sambalpur and IIM Mumbai for establishing the Center of Management Education in Angul.

In his address, Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the importance of transitioning to a knowledge-based and technology-driven economy, urging for a shift towards becoming job creators rather than mere job seekers.

He highlighted the significance of the 100 Cube initiative, describing it as a mass movement aimed at fostering a culture of ideas and innovation, particularly among the youth, to propel Odisha into a hub of entrepreneurship.

Preceding the 100 Cube Startup Conclave, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Meet was held virtually on February 28, 2024, focusing on connecting socially responsible corporate entities to support budding sustainable business practices.

The meet addressed key sectors including Textiles, Arts & Culture, Agriculture, Healthcare, Financial & Digital inclusivity, Tribal Entrepreneurship, and Sustainability Entrepreneurship.

The 100 Cube Startup Conclave, envisioned as a symposium of startups, industry, academia, government, and students, aims to create 100 startups, each with an average worth of Rs. 100 crore by Odisha’s centennial anniversary in 2036.

The initiative was inaugurated by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on February 11, 2024, at IIT Bhubaneswar, Research and Entrepreneurship Park (REP), in the presence of ministry officials, representatives from foreign governments, industry delegates, academia, startups, students, and other eminent business leaders.

The newly inaugurated I-Hub foundation will serve as a physical and virtual incubator and accelerator, fostering social growth and supporting enterprises with a multi-faceted approach. Operating with a focus on social impact, the foundation will facilitate the growth of startups and MSMEs, driving India towards achieving Viksit Bharat.