Manipur CM launches DIGI-SAPNE 2.0 to fuel northeast startup boom with Rs 80 lakh boost

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on February 17, launched DIGI-SAPNE 2.0 at Imperial Hall, Classic Grande, in Imphal. The programme was organised by the Planning Department, Government of Manipur.

 

Digi-SAPNE (Startup Acceleration Program for North East) is an initiative of AIC-SMUTBI, supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the North East. The programme provides selected startups with mentorship, market access, funding opportunities, and financial assistance of up to Rs 80 lakh to help them scale, generate employment, and compete at national and global levels.

 

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said India has transformed from a job-seeking nation to a job-creating nation over the past decades, and DIGI-SAPNE 2.0 carries this national vision to the grassroots level in Manipur. He expressed satisfaction that Start-up Manipur has been recognised as a leader in developing a strong startup ecosystem under the 5th Edition of the States’ Startup Ecosystem Ranking.

 

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening the startup ecosystem, he said DIGI-SAPNE 2.0 is designed to convert ideas of students and aspiring entrepreneurs into scalable enterprises by providing necessary support. Urging youth to innovate boldly, he stressed that innovation is born out of experimentation, perseverance, and continuous learning.

 

Chief Secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel stated that the strength of an innovation ecosystem lies not only in policy announcements but in effective implementation. He highlighted that under the Manipur Credit Guarantee Scheme, Rs 106.87 crore has been extended to over 1,400 entrepreneurs. Under the Chief Minister's Entrepreneurship Support Scheme (CMESS)-One Family One Livelihood Scheme, bank loans amounting to Rs 3.4 crore and subsidies of Rs 1.02 crore have been provided to 60 entrepreneurs. Nearly 2,000 beneficiaries and 1,500 candidates have completed the mandatory Entrepreneurship Development Programme.

 

During the event, the Chief Minister distributed Certificates of Recognition to several startups, including Kiita Dumbang Mountain Winds Pvt. Ltd., Labdig Innovations and Systems Pvt. Ltd., Stemcorp Dynamics, Addble Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Mwire Labs, Uplauz India Pvt. Ltd., UraCab Private Ltd., Ebb & Flow Online Studio, Sajilo Events, HN Technovations LLP, Greenbiotech EcoSolutions Pvt. Ltd., and Medilane HealthTech and Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd.

 

He also launched INSIGHT smart glasses developed by Akumen AI, a startup from Manipur.

 

The programme was attended by Vice-Chancellor of Manipur Technical University Prof. W. Chandbabu Singh; Vice-Chancellor of Sikkim Manipal University Prof. Gopalakrishna Prabhu; Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Shri Sanjiv Singh; Director, NITI Aayog Shri Prateek Deshmukh; along with senior officials and entrepreneurs from across the Northeast.