Khaunte: Need govt-startup collaboration for innovative solutions

Panaji: Govt departments need to work with private sector startups and innovators to resolve challenges, said minister for information technology, electronics and communications, Rohan Khaunte. The minister said that startups and innovators can help govt find “practical solutions” that will solve “critical challenges” of citizens. He added that there are over 600 registered startups, including a medtech unicorn in Goa, whose expertise can be harnessed.“Traditionally, govt challenges were addressed within departments, often in silos. There is a need to involve startups and student innovators for a meaningful change,” said Khaunte. The IT department has been working with local startups, students, and innovators to identify business ideas and technologies to find practical solutions to the challenges of govt departments.“Startups bring that edge — they are agile, creative, and technology-driven. We need solutions that are not just innovative but also ready to be deployed on the ground. By opening our doors through the Goa Open Innovation Challenge, we are inviting them to become co-creators of smarter, tech-enabled public solutions,” said Khaunte. This is not just about ideas — it is about turning ideas into action and creating meaningful change for our citizens.He announced that the Goa Open Innovation Challenge will become an annual platform to foster an ecosystem for innovation and technology-driven solutions. “The goal is clear. Bring in technology-driven, scalable solutions that can be scaled across India tomorrow,” said Khaunte, hoping that Goan startups will lead in tourism tech, clean and green technologies, and DeepTech while creating local jobs.