Sambalpur: IIM Sambalpur, one of India’s premier management institutions, hosted the 6-day Business Accelerator Program for SC-ST entrepreneurs in collaboration with the National SC-ST Hub, Ministry of MSME, from 19th to 24th January, 2026. The objective of this programme is to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem by building capacity and upskilling SC-ST entrepreneurs with essential business, financial, and digital skills, in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The event was graced by Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, Sambit Tripathy, Ex- IRS, CMD, Livelihood Alternatives, as the Chief Guest, Dr. Anupam Gayen, Zonal Head, NSIC, as the Guest of Honour, Ms. Nibedita Nayak, Former Chairperson, Odisha State Social Welfare Board, as the Keynote Speaker.
The first cohort of the Business Accelerator Programme included 25 participants from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh Telangana, and Maharashtra. The second cohort of the Business Accelerator Program will commence in February 2026, offering a 72-hour hybrid learning experience through virtual weekend sessions and a 6-day on-campus module at IIM Sambalpur.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, “IIM Sambalpur’s vision is to nurture responsible leaders with an entrepreneurial mind-set. Entrepreneurship is not just about creating wealth for oneself, it is about creating value for the nation.”
Chief Guest, Sambit Tripathy, CMD, Livelihood Alternatives, said, “Developing robust business plans, refining ideas, and building capacity, along with understanding the fundamentals of what we produce, consume, and how we communicate, are essential to excel in entrepreneurship.”
The Guest of Honour, Ms. Nibedita Nayak, Former Chairperson, Odisha State Social Welfare Board, also spoke on the occasion.
