IICA North-East Conclave 2025: Building NE Startup Hub

The scenic hills of Shillong are abuzz with a new kind of energy. This time, it's not the monsoon winds or music festivals, but the winds of entrepreneurship. For the very first time, the North-East region is set to host a landmark event that could shape its economic future — the IICA North-East Conclave 2025, organised by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Held on July 11–12 at IIM Shillong, the two-day conclave is themed “From Ideation to Incorporation” — a clear signal that the government is serious about turning ideas from the region into real, scalable businesses.

And leading this charge? None other than Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who will inaugurate the event and lay the foundation stone for IICA’s North-East Regional Campus in Shillong. This campus is envisioned as a cornerstone for spreading governance knowledge, startup guidance, and entrepreneurship education right where it’s needed most — in the heart of India’s North-East.

Why Shillong? Why Now?

For decades, the North-East has remained on the fringes of India’s startup conversation. Despite its immense potential — from organic farming to eco-tourism to digital innovation — the region has long struggled with access to startup enablers like policy support, incubation centres, funding avenues, and mentorship.

That’s about to change.

The IICA North-East Conclave 2025 aims to bridge this gap by bringing the ecosystem to the region, rather than waiting for startups to migrate to metro cities. This decentralised model could be the game-changer for aspiring entrepreneurs in all eight North-Eastern states.

Joining Finance Minister Sitharaman at the inaugural session are several top dignitaries including:

• Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma

• Secretary, MCA – Deepti Gaur Mukerjee

• Chief Secretary, Meghalaya – Donald Phillips Wahlang

• DG & CEO of IICA – Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh

Their presence is not symbolic. It is a statement — that the Centre and State are aligned in their vision to boost entrepreneurship from the grassroots up.

Empowering Startups

The conclave isn’t just a ceremonial event. It’s designed to offer real value to budding and existing entrepreneurs through a variety of insightful sessions. Topics on the agenda include:

• How to legally incorporate your startup

• Decoding incubation and innovation models

• Navigating early-stage and seed funding

• Understanding startup policy incentives

• How entrepreneurship can drive skilling and employment

And to keep things interactive and relatable, the conclave will feature fireside chats with real startup founders and investors, offering unfiltered insights into the rollercoaster of building a business.

Spotlight on Women & Regional Startups

The North-East is rich in creativity, culture, and community-driven business models. A special focus will be placed on supporting:

• Women-led startups

• Regional MSMEs

• Innovations from tribal and rural pockets of the region

These often-overlooked segments are now being recognised as key drivers of inclusive growth — and the conclave is giving them a front-row seat.

Building an Ecosystem through Strategic Partnerships

To make the startup momentum sustainable, IICA is going beyond conversations. At the conclave, it will sign seven MoUs with key institutions including:

• Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute (MATI)

• IIM Shillong

• Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)

• ICAI, ICSI, ICMAI (India’s top professional institutes)

• National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam

These MoUs are designed for capacity building, regulatory training, incubation support, and policy outreach — turning policy into practice at the grassroots.

Startup Showcase: Where Ideas Meet Opportunity

A major highlight of the event is the Startup Exhibition, where 39 startups, FPOs, incubators, and financial institutions from the region will showcase their innovations. This is more than just a demo — it’s a networking goldmine for early-stage founders to interact with:

• Venture capitalists

• Incubators

• Public and private banks

• Government agencies

Institutions like SIDBI, NABARD, PNB, SBICAPS, NSE, BSE, and STPI will also participate, offering insights and possible support mechanisms for scaling innovations from the region.

A Defining Moment for the North-East

The IICA North-East Conclave 2025 isn't just another government event. It’s an attempt to rewrite the startup narrative for a region that has long deserved its spotlight. By bringing together policy, people, and partnerships, the conclave aims to sow seeds of long-term growth, innovation, and employment.

If executed well, this conclave could mark the beginning of a startup revolution in the North-East, aligning with India’s broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat — a self-reliant India where no region is left behind.

With the foundation stone laid for IICA’s North-East Campus and a dynamic conclave paving the way for engagement and execution, eyes will be on how these promises turn into impact. Can North-East become the next Bangalore or Hyderabad? Only time will tell — but the first steps have surely been taken.

For now, Shillong is where India’s startup spotlight shines brightest.