CATALYZING VIKSHIT ODISHA THROUGH ENTREPRENEURIAL INNOVATION: A ROADMAP TO 2036

Odisha, one of India's most resource-rich but developmentally challenged states, stands at a critical juncture as it prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2036. Aligned with the national vision of a Developed India (Vikshit Bharat) by 2047, Odisha's roadmap to 2036 envisions inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven growth. In this context, entrepreneurial innovation emerges as a powerful lever to address systemic challenges such as unemployment, regional disparities, low industrial diversification, and underutilization of local resources. This study explores the transformative potential of innovation-led entrepreneurship in catalyzing Odisha's economic and social progress. By analyzing secondary data, policy frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and case studies from diverse sectors including MSMEs, agritech, tribal enterprises, women-led startups, and digital innovation the paper critically assesses Odishs entrepreneurial landscape. It identifies persistent gaps in access to finance, mentorship, market linkages, and R&D infrastructure that hinder the growth of grassroots innovation. The study reveals that despite initiatives such as Startup Odisha, O-Hub, and the states MSME and Innovation policies, the ecosystem remains fragmented and unevenly distributed across regions. Challenges such as skill mismatch, regulatory barriers, and low technology adoption particularly affect rural and marginalized entrepreneurs. However, emerging trends in agritech, green energy, and tribal branding show encouraging signs of scalable innovation. The paper proposes a comprehensive roadmap anchored in four pillars: ecosystem strengthening, education and capacity building, policy and financial reforms, and market-technological integration. It calls for decentralized innovation hubs, stronger academia-industry linkages, youth-centered skill development, and targeted support for inclusive entrepreneurship. The findings underscore the urgency of coordinated policy action and multi-stakeholder collaboration to harness Odishas entrepreneurial potential. If effectively mobilized, innovation-driven entrepreneurship can serve as a key driver of Odishas transformation into a resilient, equitable, and developed state by 2036. Keywords: Vikshit Odisha, entrepreneurship, innovation, roadmap 2036, Inclusive development.