In a bid to uplift the spirit of entrepreneurship and encourage the youth of Meghalaya to be job creators, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma launched an E-Champion Challenge.
In the next one-and-half-month, the entrepreneurs of the state have been asked to submit their ideas and business plans with a determinable revenue model and potential to create employment opportunities in the state. The interested participants can apply through an online process where all they have to do is visit http://echamp.miemeghalaya.org.
It may be mentioned, the E-Champion Challenge is an initiative launched by the Meghalaya government managed by the Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship in association with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park and Meghalaya Basin Development Authority. It was launched on September 15th, 2019.
A participant of this championship, Kriseni Marak, an entrepreneur from Gokulgre village which is located in Resubelpara Block of North Garo Hills District turned her love for flowers by setting up a flower nursery as a livelihood activity.
The objectives of the championship are:
- To promote the spirit of entrepreneurship and eco-system development in the state.
- To encourage the people of the state (especially youth) to be job creators.
- To provide a statewide platform to think entrepreneurially while enabling people to realize their ambitions.
- To highlight and showcase existing and emerging entrepreneurs from Meghalaya.
- To provide them recognition, rewards and support mechanisms to help them mature their business ideas.
The state government has kept the eligibility criteria for the championship simple and for all the existing and new entrepreneurs. The list of eligibility criteria are:
Businesses currently based on Meghalaya or those who are planning to set up units in the states can apply for the championship. Ventures which are on an early stage or not more than three years old as on August 15th, 2019 or individuals with a promising idea or plan or work model.
Also, business plans with a determinable revenue plan and potential to create employment opportunities in the state can apply for the championship.
The top 50 entrepreneurs will receive several benefits which will include – Certificate of recognition by Government of Meghalaya and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park.
The top 50 will also receive government incentives, support schemes, working space, grant or soft loans. Also, the top 25 contestants will get a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50, 000 will be given to the 25 selected business ideas.
The last date to submit applications for the E-Championship is scheduled on September 30th, 2019 and the announcement of eligible applicants will be done on October 20th, 2019.
The eligible applicants will participate in a boot camp, mentorship and pitching session on November 7th, 2019 and on November 18th, 2019 winners will be announced.
Photo credit: @echampchallenge
