Shillong, Aug 15: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today launched the sixth edition of the Chief Minister’s E-Championship Challenge, a state-wide hunt for the most promising entrepreneurs who can scale innovations, tackle real-world challenges, and transform the state’s economy.
Organised under the PRIME (Promotion and Incubation of Market-driven Enterprises) initiative, the challenge will shortlist 75 entrepreneurs from an initial pool of 150 applicants after a rigorous pitching process before industry experts, successful founders, government officials, and academic leaders.
The selected entrepreneurs will enter PRIME’s nine-month intensive incubation programme, gaining mentorship, funding access, business resources, and national-level visibility. The top 35 startups will receive ₹2 lakh each as business grants, while the next 40 will be awarded ₹1 lakh each. Participants will also benefit from training bootcamps, one-on-one mentorship, co-working spaces in Shillong, Tura, and Nongpoh, market linkages, branding and legal support, and connections to investors.
In addition, early-stage ventures not selected for full incubation will receive pre-incubation support to strengthen their business foundations. Winners will receive certificates jointly issued by the Government of Meghalaya and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park.
Applications for E-Championship Challenge 6.0 close on September 15, 2025
Sangma today during his I-Day speech spoke on the govt’s efforts in empowering youth through entrepreneurship.
“In response, we have launched the PRIME programme, through which we have set up incubation centres, organized hands-on training, connected entrepreneurs with investors, and provided seed funding and interest-free loans. One such inspiring entrepreneur is Keenan K Marak who started United Rice Brew, India’s first handcrafted, canned, and carbonated rice beer, with Rs. 12 lakhs in government support. Drawing inspiration from the traditional Garo rice beer ‘Bitchival’,the venture preserves centuries-old brewing techniques” he said.
“By supporting young people like Keenan, we are helping thousands believe in their ideas and turn them into successful businesses” he added.
Sangma said to further support entrepreneurship, the government has launched the CM Elevate programme, focused on providing credit linkage and infrastructure support. He recently inaugurated True North Fitness Centre & Swimming Academy in Shillong, started by four young entrepreneurs.
“With Rs. 1 crores in government subsidy, they have built Meghalaya’s first year-round fitness and swimming facility” he said adding that 2,850 entrepreneurs have already benefitted from CM Elevate programme.
