Igniting Grassroots Potential in Dandakaranya
Where Grassroots Youth, Tribal Knowledge & Venture Capital Converge.
ISF Startup Jathara 2026 is an intentional enterprise movement designed to decentralize India's startup economy, bringing global capital and institutional mentorship to the rural and tribal communities of South Odisha.
Why Startup Jathara is Different From Conventional Summits
Grounding national investment dialogue in rural realities, tribal wisdom, and grassroots engineering.
Most entrepreneurship summits occur within glass-walled metropolitan auditoriums, far removed from where raw materials originate, where tribal traditions preserve bio-diverse knowledge, and where grassroots challenges demand inventive engineering.
Startup Jathara @ Dandakaranya inverts this dynamic. By bringing leading investors, venture capitalists, corporate Global Capability Center (GCC) heads, and technology luminaries directly to GIET University in Gunupur, the summit grounds national dialogue in rural realities.
What 'Jathara' Signifies
In regional tradition, a Jathara is a vibrant collective pilgrimage and festival of celebration, solidarity, and trade. Startup Jathara adopts this cultural ethos — transforming venture capital and startup pitching into a communal celebration of ingenuity, indigenous knowledge, and resilience.
Summit Guiding Objectives
- 01
Grassroots Scouting: Uncover breakthrough ideas developed by rural youth, women self-help collectives, and student innovators.
- 02
Venture Capital Access: Facilitate meaningful pitch opportunities before accredited angel syndicates and venture fund partners.
- 03
Cross-Border Linkages: Partner with GCCs and international foundation networks to support rural scale-ups.
- 04
Ecological Consciousness: Integrate sustainable forest practices, non-timber forest produce value chains, and eco-materials.
A Legacy of Learning, Research & Innovation
Founded in 1997 in Gunupur, Odisha — fostering multidisciplinary scholarship, advanced research, and grassroots empowerment.
From Technical Pioneer to Premier State Private University
Established in 1997 by the Vidya Bharati Educational Trust in Gunupur, GIET began as an AICTE-approved pioneer in technical and engineering education in Eastern India.
In 2018, the Odisha Legislative Assembly conferred full State Private University status via the GIET University Act, 2018, with UGC Section 2(f) incorporation.
Set across a 113.03-acre eco-friendly campus along the scenic Bansadhara River, the university anchors advanced research labs, academic excellence, and grassroots rural incubation.
Key Institutional Milestones
Verified historical chronology sourced from published university records & government gazettes.
Founding of GIET Gunupur
Established by Vidya Bharati Educational Trust with AICTE approval, pioneering quality engineering education in South Odisha.
NAAC 'A' & NBA Accreditations
Continuously accredited by NAAC and NBA across engineering disciplines for premier outcome-based technical education.
Conferred Full University Status
Enacted under the GIET University Act, 2018 by the Odisha Legislative Assembly, celebrating 20+ years of academic excellence.
Formal UGC Enlistment (Sec 2f)
Officially incorporated into the recognized universities directory by the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi.
DSIR Research & Atal Incubator
Recognized by DSIR for scientific research; launched the Atal Community Innovation Centre (ACIC) and BIRAC biotech labs.
Host Campus for Startup Jathara
Selected as official host campus for ISF Startup Jathara 2026, convening 5,000+ delegates, investors, and grassroots founders.
Academic Schools & Research Ecosystem
A multi-disciplinary spectrum spanning engineering, agricultural research, life sciences, healthcare, and business administration.
School of Engineering & Technology
AI, robotics, smart computing labs, and advanced engineering disciplines.
School of Agriculture
Agronomy testbeds, organic crop trials, and bio-input rural farming.
School of Sciences
Biotechnology, material chemistry, and DSIR-recognized research labs.
School of Management Studies
Agribusiness, digital supply chains, and rural venture entrepreneurship.
School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Regional economics, indigenous cultures, and Eastern Ghats policy studies.
School of Pharmacy & School of Nursing
PCI & INC-approved clinical sciences and regional healthcare training.
Innovation, Incubation & Technology Transfer
Officially documented innovation centers connecting student innovators and community entrepreneurs with national funding and testbeds.
Atal Community Innovation Centre (ACIC)
NITI Aayog-backed innovation centre fostering grassroots tech transfer, student prototypes, and youth enterprise across Odisha.
BIRAC E-YUVA Innovation Centre
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) supported centre empowering student entrepreneurs with biotech and life sciences testbeds.
Technology Business Incubator (TBI) & Incubatex
Pre-incubation & startup acceleration pipeline offering prototyping labs, seed grants, IP support, and investor access.
DSIR Scientific & Industrial Research Facility
Officially recognized Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.
GIET University Leadership Council
Meet the visionaries, academic officers, and executive leaders guiding the institution.
Official GIET Leadership Directory
Founder Chairman of Gandhi Group of Institutions, pioneering technical education and regional empowerment across Southern Odisha.
Co-founder of Gandhi Group and distinguished economics scholar, integrating ancient Indian values with modern educational systems.
Computer science scholar and trustee steering university expansion, digital infrastructure, and foundational education in Gunupur.
IIT alumnus and biotechnology pioneer leading national vaccine research, translational innovation, and incubation ecosystems.
Senior administrative leader with over 25 years of service, overseeing university governance, regulatory compliance, and student welfare.
Empowering Tribal Youth
of Dandakaranya
GIET University, located in Rayagada's tribal corridor, is committed to elevating indigenous and rural youth into confident leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs.
“To support and uplift the meritorious students of this Tribal Area to represent as an Ambassador in all forums as a part of our social responsibility.”
Full Fee Waivers
Merit scholarships & complete tuition assistance for indigenous tribal students.
Gandhi Public School
Free primary education & modern learning resources for rural children.
Grassroots Incubation
Mentorship & seed funding via Atal (ACIC) & BIRAC biotech labs.