Government of Goa to mentor and scale 30 high-potential startups with structured support, market access, and investor connections.
Panaji, July 21, 2025: In a significant move to empower Goan entrepreneurs, the Government of Goa has launched the Goa Startup Accelerator Program, a mentor-driven initiative designed to nurture and scale high-potential startups. The program was announced by Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (ITE&C), Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, under the aegis of the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C).
The accelerator will support a curated cohort of 30 startups, including 25 officially registered in Goa and 5 operating in Goa without local registration. Through structured mentorship, market access, and growth-focused interventions, the program aims to accelerate the development of Goan ventures.
Five-Month Growth Journey for StartupsSelected startups will embark on a five-month accelerator journey featuring:
Mentorship tracks on product development, technology, business development, market access, and fundraising.
Masterclasses by industry leaders and domain experts.
One-on-one mentorship clinics tailored to each startup’s needs.
A Demo Day where founders will pitch to investors, corporates, and ecosystem partners.
Applications for the program opened on July 21, 2025 and will be accepted via a mix of open applications and nominations from incubators and industry stakeholders.
Building a Unified Startup Ecosystem“Goa’s long-term vision is to create a connected, visible, and outcome-driven startup ecosystem,” said Shri Rohan A. Khaunte. “The Accelerator will unify the state’s startup community through a central platform that enhances visibility, tracks performance, and fosters meaningful engagement. Startups are the future of entrepreneurship, and with the Goa Startup and IT Policy, we aim to position Goa as a hub for scalable innovation.”
Adding to this, Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C, emphasized, “This program addresses a key gap by moving beyond one-time incentives. We are providing structured, sustained support, complete with real-time progress tracking, mentor engagement, and outcome measurement to build a continuously evolving startup talent pool in Goa.”
Driving Innovation, Jobs, and Local Impact
The Goa Startup Accelerator Program is part of the government’s broader mission to foster innovation-driven entrepreneurship, create employment opportunities, and generate local economic impact. By strengthening the capacity of young Goan entrepreneurs, the state seeks to transform its startup ecosystem into a sustainable hub of wealth creators and job generators.
Applications for the program are now open, marking a new chapter in Goa’s startup journey—one that promises to catalyze growth for local innovators and businesses.
About the Goa Startup Accelerator Program
The Goa Startup Accelerator Program is an initiative by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, DITE&C, under the Government of Goa. It provides structured mentorship, market access, and investor engagement to high-potential startups operating in the state.