The Samriddhi Northeast 2026 – Entrepreneurs Summit began on Wednesday at the NEHHDC campus in Guwahati, representing a major initiative to enhance the entrepreneurial and artisan ecosystem in Northeast India. Organized by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) alongside TiDE and supported by the Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), this two-day event serves as a dynamic platform for entrepreneurs, startups, MSMEs, and artisan-led enterprises to connect with buyers, policymakers, financial institutions, and ecosystem partners.
During the NEHHDC session, several key initiatives focused on enterprise development, incubation support, and market linkages were highlighted, emphasizing NEHHDC’s role in helping artisans and entrepreneurs scale their efforts from local to national and global markets. Pritam Dutta, Director of the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), delivered a keynote address stressing the significance of structured capacity building, innovation, and collaboration in strengthening the region’s enterprise ecosystem.
A pivotal panel discussion took place under the theme “Building Sustainable Enterprises in the Northeast: From Local Strengths to Scalable Markets,” with Shri Anjan Chowdhury, NLP Practitioner and Founder of Skillfinity, as the moderator. The panelists discussed critical issues related to market access, branding, export readiness, institutional support, and the necessity for innovation-driven business models tailored to the needs of artisans and MSMEs in the region.
The post-lunch agenda included an Enterprise Enablement Session led by TiDE, which focused on topics such as digital finance, compliance readiness, and pathways to formalization aimed at business growth. Additionally, an interactive workshop titled “The Art of Business Communication for Entrepreneurs,” facilitated by Shri Anjan Chowdhury, offered training on effective communication, pitching strategies, and professional branding.
A high-impact component of the summit was the Open Platform Brand Pitch session, where selected entrepreneurs showcased their products and ideas directly to experts, receiving invaluable feedback and mentorship. The day’s activities culminated with an Open Discussion & Enterprise Clinics session that facilitated interactive Q&A on finance, markets, branding, and compliance, followed by a summary of key takeaways and the support pathways available post-event.
Complementing the summit was a live enterprise exhibition showcasing startups, MSMEs, and artisan-led brands from across Northeast India, promoting product visibility, buyer interaction, and networking opportunities. Samriddhi Northeast 2026 has successfully attracted a diverse range of participants, including entrepreneurs, startups, artisan businesses, MSMEs, buyers, and institutional and financial stakeholders, reinforcing its role as a collaborative platform for regional enterprise development.
On the second day, the event will feature a Buyer-Seller Meet designed to foster direct B2B and B2C interactions, product presentations, and new market connections, thereby enhancing the commercial networks for enterprises based in the Northeast. Through Samriddhi Northeast 2026, NEHHDC and its partners strive to establish a resilient, sustainable business ecosystem that harnesses local strengths into scalable opportunities, positioning the Northeast as a lively hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
