Patna: The state govt on Monday launched the ‘Bihar Idea Festival', a dedicated portal aimed at encouraging grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship across the state. State industries minister Nitish Mishra inaugurated the portal at an event held at Soochna Bhawan, describing it as a "milestone" initiative that will allow students, youth, entrepreneurs and startup teams, even from rural areas, to submit their ideas directly to the govt."The aim is to collect innovative ideas and solutions from every corner of Bihar and provide a strong platform for them. Every Bihari has an idea hidden within them. The only need is to identify it and give it direction," Mishra said.The portal, accessible at www.startupbihar.in, is mobile-friendly, allowing easy access for participants from remote regions. The govt plans to collect at least 10,000 ideas from all 38 districts.

A team of experts will evaluate the submissions and at least 100 ideas will be shortlisted initially. These will be eligible for technical and financial support, including seed funding of up to Rs 10 lakh under the state's Startup Bihar Policy."Winners of the Idea Festival will also get a wild card entry to the seed funding pitch round. Many women entrepreneurs will benefit and emerge as ‘Startup Didis', just like in the JEEViKA initiative," Mishra added.

Additional chief secretary of the industries department, Mihir Kumar Singh, said, "This initiative will help decentralise the start-up ecosystem, connecting rural communities, artisans, farmers, and marginalised groups with opportunity."District-level awareness campaigns will begin on July 24, culminating in a two-day mega event in Patna in the last week of Aug, where the top ideas will be honoured.