Startup cell to be set up in Udupi: DC

Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis said that a startup cell would be set up in Udupi district to guide young entrepreneurs on different aspects of the business.

Speaking after inaugurating a workshop organised by Karnataka State Financial Corporation, in association with District Industries Centre here on Tuesday, she said that measures would be taken to set up startup cell by December-end in an industrial area in Manipal.

The deputy commissioner said that young entrepreneurs needed guidance to kick-start businesses. “There are many skilled, educated and enthusiastic youth in the district who come up with ideas. A startup cell would try to support them and nurture their ideas. It would provide marketing skills, legal knowledge and other aspects for entrepreneurship,” she said.

Lamenting that the youth were lacking the enthusiasm to take up new ventures, the deputy commissioner said that there were several training centres like RUDSET which impart skills training for youth. “But youths opt for traditional training courses like tailoring and poultry farming, where the settlement ratio is less,” she pointed out.

Tourism opportunities

Elaborating on the various opportunities in the tourism sector, Francis added there was great potential in tourism for the young entrepreneurs to succeed. “Tourist guide jobs and homestay management are lucrative. Loans up to Rs 5 crore at low-interest rates, can be availed for starting homestay,” she added.

The deputy commissioner said that the district’s new venture Solid Liquid Resource Management (SLRM) which was lauded and also replicated; had opened up several avenues for entrepreneurs. She said that youth can come forward to take up the task of collection, segregation and recycling of waste.

She added that currently, the task was being carried out by the gram panchayats (GPs). Following approval from GPs, an individual can invest Rs 20 lakh on infrastructure for SLRM. “In eight to 10 months, the investor will break even. Within one year, the business will turn profitable. From 45 GPs, the earning (under SLRM) is Rs 11 lakh (by selling recyclable waste), she pointed out.

Francis added that the NGO Sahas of Bengaluru had joined hands with the district administration to buy non-recyclable waste. “In-house entities will collect more waste compared to GPs. Youth must take advantage of the well-oiled processes already in place,” she added.