Mangaluru: In a landmark move to transform Mangaluru into a vibrant startup hub, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta launched ‘Bolpu – A Dawn of Opportunities’, an ambitious flagship program aimed at fueling entrepreneurship and nurturing innovative ventures rooted in the region.
The initiative promises a complete startup ecosystem, including access to funding, mentorship, market linkages, and continuous advisory on government schemes. Each year, 10 high-potential startups will be selected and taken through intensive 8-week sprints—a process designed to help them ideate, build, test, and launch products with national and global aspirations.
Aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047 visions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bolpu is grounded in Capt Chowta’s campaign vision document, ‘Nava Yuga Nava Patha’. “After serving in the Army, I wanted to contribute to India’s transformation. Many of our talented youth leave Mangaluru due to the lack of support. Bolpu aims to reverse that trend,” he said.
A key focus will be women-led enterprises, with a target to create at least 50 success stories in five years. Chowta emphasized the need to replace negative headlines with inspiring stories of innovation from the coastal region.
92% Want to Come Home
Citing a ‘Come Home Tiger’ survey by TiE Mangaluru, Capt Chowta noted that 92% of Mangalureans working elsewhere are willing to return—if meaningful local opportunities exist.
Johnson Tellis, CEO of Inunity, remarked, “This is not just about startups. Each venture represents future leadership—rooted in responsibility and community.” He stressed the importance of uniting the diaspora, ecosystem builders, and visionary mentors.