The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog organised the Regional AIM SUMVAAD-East Chapter 2026 in Bhubaneswar, bringing together representatives from government, industry, academia, startups, and incubation centres to strengthen Eastern India's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

A key highlight of the event was the launch of the AIM-Odisha Chapter, a collaborative platform connecting Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) and Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs) across the state. The initiative aims to enhance collaboration by enabling shared access to mentorship, infrastructure, investor networks, strategic partnerships, and other ecosystem resources, creating greater opportunities for startups.

The conclave focused on fostering regional partnerships, strengthening state startup ecosystems, encouraging grassroots entrepreneurship, and promoting innovation in high-growth sectors such as mining, biotechnology, and life sciences under the theme "Purvodaya – Building an Ecosystem for Sunrise Sectors."

The event saw participation from incubation centres across Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, reinforcing efforts to build a collaborative innovation ecosystem and support India's vision of becoming an innovation-driven economy.