In a major boost to cross-border innovation and international trade, Startup Odisha hosted a delegation from Tottori Prefecture, Japan, at O-Hub today.
The visit served as a platform to deepen business collaboration, institutional linkages, and market access between the entrepreneurial ecosystems of Odisha and Japan.
The delegation was led by Toru Sasaki, Director General of the Department of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Tottori Prefectural Government; Ms Yoshioka, Director of San-in Godo Bank Co. Ltd.; and Mr Kazuhiko Ikeda, President of the Tottori Prefectural Industrial Promotion Organisation, alongside a corporate delegation from Japan.
Landmark MoU Signing
A major highlight of the visit was the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sustainability Leaders Odisha Pvt. Ltd. (an Odisha-based startup) and ONESTRUCTION Inc. (a business organisation from Tottori). This agreement builds on preliminary discussions held during the delegation’s initial visit on 30 July 2026, translating dialogue into concrete commercial outcomes.
Leadership Perspectives
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Gokulananda MallikHon’ble Minister for MSME, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Government of Odisha, emphasised the state’s vision of expanding entrepreneurship through strong global alliances.
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Rashmita Panda, IASCommissioner-cum-Secretary, MSME Department & Chairperson, Startup Odisha, reiterated the state’s ongoing commitment to building a world-class startup ecosystem with seamless international integration.
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Smruti Ranjan Pradhan, IASCEO of Startup Odisha, delivered the opening welcome address, setting the stage for presentations on Odisha’s policy frameworks, institutional support, and startup showcase stalls.
Focused B2B Engagements
The event featured targeted Business-to-Business (B2B) networking sessions connecting Odisha startups with Japanese business leaders across six high-growth sectors:
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Agriculture & Sustainability
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Construction & Manufacturing
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Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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Healthcare