Shillong: Promotion and incubation of market-driven enterprises (PRIME) Meghalaya has marked a major milestone in the state’s entrepreneurship journey by on-boarding 75 start-ups under the CM’s E-Championship Challenge (CMECC) 6.0 and graduating another 75 start-ups from Cohort 5.
“With around 5,000 entrepreneurs supported to date, Rs 200 crore disbursed, and nearly 7,000 direct jobs created, PRIME continues to position entrepreneurship as a key driver of economic growth and employment in Meghalaya,” said a statement by Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) on Thursday.
“The on-boarding and graduation programme, held at Ward’s Lake in Shillong, brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, mentors, and ecosystem partners, reflecting the govt’s sustained commitment to building a strong start-up ecosystem,” the statement added.
Under CMECC 6.0, PRIME is providing business grants of Rs 2 lakh to the top 35 start-ups and Rs 1 lakh to the next 40, along with structured nine-month incubation support. Start-ups will gain access to training, mentorship, market linkages, buyer exposure, and pathways to grants, loans, and venture capital.
In his address, CM Conrad K Sangma reaffirmed the govt’s commitment to entrepreneurship as a core pillar of Meghalaya’s economic strategy and highlighted the national recognition the state’s start-up ecosystem has received.
Vijay Kumar D, commissioner and secretary of the planning department, said CMECC 6.0 attracted nearly 4,000 applications, with PRIME teams reaching close to 2,500 villages to identify and support entrepreneurs through doorstep incubation.
He added that another Rs 80 crore is currently in the pipeline and that the state has set a target of generating over 25,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2032.
Entrepreneurs at the event shared how PRIME’s mentorship and support helped scale their ventures. Ferdinand Lyngdoh Marshillong, founder of start-up Ekanbha, who received a Rs 60 lakh grant, was recently honoured with the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2025.
“With PRIME, Meghalaya govt continues to strengthen entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation, reinforcing the state’s emergence as a leading start-up ecosystem in India,” the official release said.
He is based in Meghalaya and reports on local issues including se...
Read MoreHe is based in Meghalaya and reports on local issues including security, politics, and social developments, providing detailed coverage of events in the Northeast region, especially Meghalaya. His work reflects ground-level realities and concerns of the state's diverse communities.
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