Star Cement Strengthens North-East Startup Ecosystem; Launches Star Samarth Website and Signs Accessibility MoU.

Star Cement reinforced its commitment to entrepreneurship and inclusive development by organising an Entrepreneurs Meet at the NEDFi Auditorium, Ganeshguri. The event drew strong participation from entrepreneurs, institutional representatives, industry stakeholders and aspiring business leaders from across the North East.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. J. B. Ekka, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam, as Chief Guest. His presence reflected the state government’s continued focus on enterprise-led growth. Sri Prafulla Hazarika, Retired Commissioner of Industries and Mentor of the Samarth Project, also attended the event.

Addressing the gathering, Pradeep Purohit, COO, said the response to the meet highlights the rising ambition of entrepreneurs in the region. He stressed that collaboration between policymakers, financial institutions and industry bodies is vital to unlock the North East’s full potential. He added that such platforms are designed to help first-generation entrepreneurs build sustainable and scalable businesses.

The meet created a shared space for dialogue and knowledge exchange. Representatives from DICC, NSIC, MSME, KVIC and SIDBI, along with legal compliance experts, interacted with participants. Discussions focused on policy support, financial assistance, incubation opportunities and regulatory clarity.

During the programme, the official Star Samarth website was launched. The platform will provide information on incubation, training, schemes and upcoming initiatives.

A key highlight was the signing of an MoU between Young Indians (Guwahati Chapter) and Star Cement Charitable Trust. The partnership aims to make Kamakhya Railway Station fully accessibility-friendly. One government school will also be transformed into a barrier-free campus.

In addition, financial assistance was extended to Assam Gandhi Smarak Nidhi to support its women-led weaving centre.

The Entrepreneurs Meet marked a significant step toward strengthening institutional support, promoting inclusion and fostering long-term socio-economic growth in the region.