#News #Latest #trending #india
Raipur : Dhamtari district has taken a historic initiative towards giving a strong foundation to the innovation, entrepreneurship and startup culture of the youth in Chhattisgarh. The three-day Techstars Startup Weekend Dhamtari was successfully organized by the District Administration Dhamtari and the Sports and Youth Welfare Department in collaboration with the world-class startup accelerator Techstars from 28 to 30 November 2025. This event was organized for the first time in a non-metropolitan district of the state, which has given Dhamtari a new identity as an emerging startup hub.
The Startup Weekend was attended by over 100 youth participants, 50 potential startup teams, 20 experienced mentors and over 10 investors. The participants were trained continuously for 54 hours in converting their ideas into investable models, building business models, product development, market analysis, pitch deck creation and scaling techniques.
Mentors provided specialized guidance on startup ideas from technology, food processing, agri-innovation, healthcare, e-commerce, tourism, digitalization and entertainment sectors. Many innovative ideas became the center of special interest of investors.
District administration’s initiative-aim to put Dhamtari on startup map
District Collector Shri Abinash Mishra described the event as a milestone for the innovation system of Dhamtari and said that our aim is that the youth of Dhamtari should get all the startup facilities and opportunities like big cities right here. Startup Weekend proved that the youth here are not only creative but also have the ability to compete at the global level. This event will continue every year, which will establish a strong ecosystem of entrepreneurship in the district.
Mr. Ismail Akbani, CEO and event facilitator, AIC Mahindra, described it as the largest and most well-organized Startup Weekend in Chhattisgarh so far.
Local talent benefits from global accelerator Techstars
Giving information about Techstars, Mr. Meraj Mir, Founder, Vikasgarh said that the expertise of this platform, which has been accelerating startups across the world since 2006, is now directly reaching the youth of Dhamtari, which will provide them with extensive networking and investment opportunities.
The district administration said that in order to institutionalize the startup culture, such events will continue to be organized regularly in Dhamtari in future also. This will provide youth with ongoing mentorship, funding exposure and business networks.
