Bhubaneswar: To promote entrepreneurship at grassroots level, the State Government has come up with ‘Nano Unicorn’ Scheme that aims at empowering skilled youth by fostering entrepreneurship to address issues like rural youth migration and unemployment.
The scheme will support 1200 Nano Unicorns between financial years 2023-24 lo 2025-26 by providing refundable seed funding upto Rs 1 lakh each, which is recoverable in 3 years.
The scheme envisages mentoring and handholding support to the Nano Unicorns apart from the refundable seed funding to ensure sustainability. The scheme will cover all the 30 Districts of the States with focus on 10 aspirational districts.
The Skill Development and Technical Education Department has issued guidelines of the scheme.
As per the guidelines, Skilled-In-Odisha youth in the age group of 18-35 years who have undertaken short term and long-term skilling courses in ITI, Polytechnics, Higher Technical Institutions, World Skill Centre, PLTP, NUA Odisha, etc.
In addition, the scheme will also cater to specific groups (e.g., farmers, SHGs, etc.) recommended by line departments based on specific proposals to be considered by the Steering Committee of the Scheme under the chairpersonship of Principal Secretary, Skill Development & Technical Education.
The Government aims to select 400 Nano Unicorn Entrepreneurs every year from amongst the 30 Districts and from the special projects recommended by line Departments.
As many as 20 Nano Unicorn Entrepreneurs will be selected from each of the 10 Aspirational Districts—Balangir, Dhenkanal, Gaiapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada and Rayagada. Another 200 Nano Unicorn Entrepreneurs will be selected from the remaining 20 districts (10 from each district).
Priority shall be given to female Nano Unicorn Entrepreneurs (a minimum of 33% women). For inclusivity, priority shall also be given to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), Transgenders, STs, SCs and other marginalised groups as per provisions and no. of applications received, the scheme guidelines said.
The Executive Committee headed by the Director, Skill Development cum Employment will oversee the implementation of the scheme.
With the receipt of the refundable seed fund, the Nano Unicorn Entrepreneurs shall commence their intended business. The respective – District Skill Executive Committee (DSEC) shall monitor the progress and review the same on a quarterly basis. DSEC with the assistance of the Implementing Partner will provide necessary mentoring and guidance to the Nano Unicorn Entrepreneurs.
