Shillong, Sept 10: The Meghalaya government has announced the Startup Challenge 2025, a state-wide hunt to identify the Top 5 startups that will represent the state during the Grand Pitching Segment of the MeghaPreneur Expo 2025.
The challenge offers emerging ventures a chance to showcase their business ideas, gain visibility, and connect with investors, buyers, and industry stakeholders at a national platform. Applications are open until September 30, 2025, via www.meghaPreneur.com.
The selection process begins with the shortlisting of 25 startups, who will enter a high-stakes pitching round before a jury of experts. From these, five will be chosen to pitch at the Expo, unlocking opportunities for funding, partnerships, and scale-up support.
The Startup Challenge comes at a time when Meghalaya is actively positioning itself on India’s startup map. In June, PRIME Meghalaya, the state’s flagship entrepreneurship program, concluded a four-day strategic engagement in New Delhi, forging multiple national and international partnerships. Led by Saloni Verma, Executive Director of the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency, the team signed an MoU with the UAE–India CEPA Council (UICC), granting Meghalaya’s entrepreneurs access to incubation, mentorship, and investor networks in the UAE as part of the CEPA Start-up Series.
The engagement also secured Startup India’s strategic partnership for the upcoming MeghaPreneur Expo 2025, with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) pledging support in curating national participation and policy alignment.
Eligibility criteria for the Challenge include being a registered private limited company (or willing to register), having a minimum turnover of ₹35 lakh in FY 2024–25 or strong growth potential, and being led by a Meghalaya domicile founder. Startups must also demonstrate innovation, scalability, employment generation, profitability, and measurable social impact.
Officials said the Startup Challenge and the Expo will provide a launchpad for Meghalaya’s most promising ventures to gain national and international exposure, strengthen investor linkages, and accelerate the state’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
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