Patna: Bihar took centre stage in India’s growing startup ecosystem on Friday as the state hosted Avinya Bihar 2.0, a high-profile event celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship. Organised by the Department of Industries under the Startup Bihar initiative, the event was held at the Chandragupta Institute of Management Patna (CIMP) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, Patna (IIT Patna).
The event, timed to coincide with National Startup Day 2026, was supported by TiE Patna with Startup&I as the official media partner. Dignitaries inaugurated the occasion with the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by a welcome address from Shri Kumod Kumar, CEO of CIMP-BIIF and President of TiE Patna, who praised the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state. “This platform is a celebration of Bihar’s entrepreneurial spirit, where ideas meet opportunities and innovation finds wings,” he said.
The chief guest, Industries Minister Shri Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting startups. He announced plans to increase the Bihar Startup Seed Fund from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, emphasising the state’s ambition to become a leading hub for innovation. “Through initiatives like Avinya Bihar 2.0, we are not only celebrating the spirit of our young innovators but also building a robust ecosystem that will empower startups to thrive,” Jaiswal said.
The event brought together an eminent panel of industry leaders, government officials, and academics, including Dr Bidya Nand Singh (IAS), Director of Handloom and Sericulture, Bihar, Smt Anubha Prasad, GM SIDBI, Prof (Dr) Sudhir Kumar, IIT Patna, and Shri Sushil Sharma, Founder, Marwari Catalyst. Discussions focused on building a thriving startup ecosystem in Bihar and defining the state’s Vision 2030.
Two panel discussions explored key challenges and opportunities for Bihar’s startups. The first, moderated by Abhishek Sinha, CEO of Global Management Associates LLC, addressed policy, infrastructure, and mentorship frameworks for emerging ventures. The second, led by Priya Nath, focused on unlocking capital flow and financial access for startups and MSMEs, highlighting the role of investors in nurturing the ecosystem.
The event also featured two masterclasses: “From Content to Canvas: Crafting Visually Powerful Pitch Decks for Investors” by Abhishek Biswas, and “Developing Investment Mindset, Readiness and Finding Opportunities” by Shri Sushil Sharma.
Among the highlights were the launch of Startupandi.com and MoUs signed between Startup Bihar, TiE Patna, and SU&I Magazine. Awards were presented to top incubation centres and startup cells, with Government Engineering College, Vaishali, and IIT Patna taking the lead in their respective categories.
A showcase of innovative startup products, including Awshar AI, Finace India, Jilo Health, Green Stark, Pravisht, RCX Light, and Biharo, underlined the diversity and potential of Bihar’s entrepreneurial talent. Dignitaries toured startup stalls, adding vibrancy to the event and fostering connections between investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.
“Avinya Bihar 2.0 is not just an event; it is a movement to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit of Bihar,” said Prof (Dr) Rana Singh, Director, CIMP, in his vote of thanks. “This platform reflects our commitment to nurturing startups, building collaborations, and positioning Bihar as a rising hub of innovation in India’s startup ecosystem.”
The event underscored Bihar’s growing role in India’s startup revolution, signalling the state’s ambition to become a beacon for talent, innovation, and transformative ventures.
