April 6, 2025, New Delhi: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has made a significant stride in empowering tribal entrepreneurship by showcasing 45 tribal-led startups at the StartupMahakumbh event held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event, organized under the initiative “DhartiAabaTribepreuners 2025” as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, highlighted a diverse range of innovations, spanning sectors from deep tech to organic farming and green energy.
Tribal Entrepreneurs Gaining National Recognition
During the event, two tribal-led startups—OurGuest Travels and Ngurie Organic Pvt. Ltd.—received national accolades for their remarkable contributions to sustainable tourism and agriculture. The awards were presented by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, marking a pivotal moment in the increasing role of tribal entrepreneurs in India’s thriving startup ecosystem.
Shri Jual Oram, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, along with Shri Vibhu Nayar, Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, praised the winning startups for their exemplary innovation and dedication to community-led development. They also commended all participating entrepreneurs for presenting the aspirations and potential of tribal India on a national stage.
Award-Winning Tribal Startups at StartupMahakumbh 2025
OurGuest Travels (Top View Pvt. Ltd.)
- Incubated at IIM Kolkata
- Sector: Sustainable Tourism
- Based in Gangtok, Sikkim, OurGuest Travels was honored with the D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) Award. As Northeast India’s first Online Travel Aggregator (OTA), it offers a curated collection of homestays, farmstays, resorts, and guided experiences across Sikkim, North Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
- With over 600 homestays and 50+ guides, the platform has served more than 6,000 travelers, while simultaneously supporting rural livelihoods and eco-tourism. This recognition of these startups at the StartupMahakumbh is a significant milestone for the startup under the Ministry’s 100-Day Agenda to foster a robust tribal startup ecosystem.
Ngurie Organic Pvt. Ltd.
- Incubated at IIT Guwahati
- Sector: AgriTech & Organic Farming
- Ngurie Organic was conferred the AgriTech Award for its transformative work in sustainable agriculture at the StartupMahakumbh. The startup leverages data-driven research, precision agriculture, and blockchain-enabled transparency to empower farmers. Their solutions help reduce water usage, improve soil health, increase crop yields, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen food security.
Website: Ngurie Organic
Exclusive Sessions and Workshops for Tribal Entrepreneurs
The StartupMahakumbh 2025 also hosted a high-impact panel discussion titled “Investing in Bharat: Unlocking Startup Potential Beyond the Metro”. Thought leaders from India’s startup and investment ecosystem, including T. Roumuan Paite, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Vikram Gupta of IvyCap Ventures, Sandeep Nagbhushan Aithal from Infosys Ltd., and Vineet Khurana from SACC India, shared valuable insights with the audience.
The session, moderated by Amit Pandey of IVCA, focused on the immense potential of tribal entrepreneurship in India and strategies to unlock investment in these regions.
Additionally, faculty from IIT Delhi conducted a Design Thinking Workshop, guiding tribal startups on refining and scaling their business ideas. The workshop at the StartupMahakumbh was instrumental in helping these entrepreneurs understand the importance of design and innovation in shaping successful businesses.
Empowering the Next Generation of Tribal Entrepreneurs
The 3-day event concluded with the distribution of participation certificates to 45 tribal startup founders, 100 Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) students, and 150 tribal students who are benefitting from higher education scholarships.
The participants also took part in a bootcamp at IIT Delhi, where they were exposed to the diverse elements of the startup ecosystem, providing them with essential skills and networks to grow their ventures.
Ministry’s Commitment to a Self-Reliant Tribal India
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through initiatives like DhartiAabaTribepreuners 2025, continues to create a supportive environment for tribal innovators. By offering mentorship, funding, capacity building, and platform exposure, the Ministry is ensuring that tribal entrepreneurs can contribute meaningfully to India’s development.
The recognition and visibility of tribal entrepreneurs at India’s largest StartupMahakumbh conclave reaffirms the Ministry’s commitment to making tribal India an integral part of the nation’s growth story. With continued support and encouragement, tribal entrepreneurs will play a pivotal role in India’s entrepreneurial landscape.
