Bhubaneswar – In recognition of his considerable contributions towards the promotion of startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women entrepreneurs, and the creation of economic opportunities in the state, Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha, has been honoured with the State Business Leadership Award 2024.
The award, bestowed by the Bhubaneswar-based IT Media Network, aims to celebrate the excellence of individuals who have not only contributed to Odisha's economic growth but also made a significant impact on society through their business achievements, said a statement.
The organiser and jury acknowledge Dr. Rai's decades-long commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable growth in the technology sector and, more recently, his efforts to foster an inclusive startup ecosystem in Odisha.
Under his leadership, the growth of startups in Odisha has accelerated significantly in the last two years. Presently, the state is home to over 1,800 startups, including more than 700 women-led ventures, working in the space of next-generation technologies, defence, aerospace, drones, and agriculture, among others.
Recently, Odisha was ranked as a “Top Performer” in the States' Startup Ranking 2022 by the central government's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Before assuming leadership at Startup Odisha, Dr. Rai served as the Director General of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), where he played a seminal role in the dispersal of the Indian IT industry, especially by creating conducive and ideal IT infrastructure in Tier II and Tier III cities, which were previously overlooked by major industry players.
In addition to driving significant growth in the country's IT/ITES/ESDM sector, he was also instrumental in the development of the National Policy on Software Products (NPSP), 2019, and the establishment of Centres of Entrepreneurship (COEs) in emerging technologies across the country.
Dr. Rai is also the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), the D.Sc. (Honoris causa) from GLA University and the ‘Digital Icon‘ award from the Indian Express Group.
