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OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment
Government

OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)

Aizawl, Mizoram, IndiaEst. 2018

STPI's Centre of Excellence in Aizawl, Mizoram, nurturing gaming and entertainment startups in the Northeast.

1Program
Official website

OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment at a glance

Part ofSoftware Technology Parks of India (STPI)
Established2018
AddressAizawl, Mizoram, India
Programmes2 standing programmes
Official websiteoctane.stpi.in

Programs by OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment

1 past program · Filter all programs

Past programs

Programmes they run

Standing programmes at OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment, separate from the funding calls above.

Open Challenge Program (OCP)

Competition

A platform for startups/entrepreneurs to get selected for OctaNE CoEs by solving problems through innovative solutions.

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

The program facilitates aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators through strategic networking, seed funding, mentoring, training, marketing, patenting, and access to CoE labs, tools, software, and incubation facility. Eligibility requires the startup to be incorporated as a Private Limited Company, Registered Partnership Firm, or Limited Liability Partnership, with a registration/incorporation date not beyond 10 years, and an annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 100 crore since incorporation. Unregistered companies must register within 3 months of selection. The entity should be working towards innovation, development or improvement of products, services or processes with potential to generate employment/create wealth.

Official programme page

Direct funding support to the units

Grant scheme

Direct financial support for Proof of Concept, Prototype development, and Marketing activities.

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

Funding is extended in stages: Rs. 5.00 lakh (500000 INR) for Proof of Concept, Rs. 15.00 lakh (1500000 INR) for Prototype development, and Rs. 5.00 lakh (500000 INR) for Marketing. This support can be used for cloud hosting and services, mentor engagement, IPR creation, seed capital, and marketing costs.

Official programme page

Incubation tracks

The routes into OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment, and what each one includes.

TrackTypeSpaceIncludes
Incubation & Co-WorkingIncubation is provided for startups selected through the Open Challenge Program (OCP). For Aizawl, the facility includes 100-seater incubation space.Resident incubation—physical lab facilities, ready to work plug and play space, high speed internet access, network operation center (NOC), 24x7 operational workspace, security, dedicated team support, direct funding support, mentoring support, marketing support, networking events, IPR/patenting facilitation, legal, accounting & other support, e-commerce facilitation, tinkering lab

Labs & facilities

Equipment and space on campus.

Physical Lab Facilities

Access to domain labs, including for Gaming & Entertainment.

Ready to Work Plug and Play Space

Network Operation Center (NOC)

Incubation & Co-Working Facilities

Co-Working Facilities

100-seater state-of-the-art incubation

Specific capacity for the Aizawl CoE.

Tinkering Lab

Support services

Help offered alongside funding and space.

Business advisoryMarket accessIP & patentsLegal & financeRegulatory supportDesign services

Recognitions & empanelments

Official approvals this incubator holds.

Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) supported by STPI under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

About OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment

Overview

OctaNE CoE Aizawl is a Centre of Excellence under the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), set up at STPI Aizawl in Mizoram with a domain focus on Gaming & Entertainment. It is part of STPI's larger OctaNE initiative — an internetworked cluster of eight CoEs across India's Northeast region designed to seed, nurture, and grow technology-led startups outside the traditional metro hubs.

The CoE was established under STPI's Guwahati Directorate to leverage local creative talent in animation, gaming, AR/VR, and digital entertainment, and to channel that talent into commercially viable startups. The total OctaNE program is funded with ₹68.76 crore (₹61.89 cr from MeitY + ₹6.87 cr from STPI).

Programs

OctaNE CoE Aizawl runs the flagship OctaNE Open Challenge Program (OCP) — a recurring cohort-based startup challenge that invites founders working on gaming, animation, VFX, AR/VR, esports, and digital entertainment products to apply. Selected startups are inducted into a structured incubation programme that combines technology infrastructure, mentoring, and direct seed funding.

What Startups Get

  • Seed funding — direct grant support to selected startups
  • State-of-the-art lab focused on gaming and entertainment tooling
  • Plug-and-play incubation space with high-speed connectivity
  • Cloud-based services and software stack access
  • Mentoring from industry leaders — Pete Draper, CEO of Makuta Effects, serves as Chief Mentor for the Gaming & Entertainment CoE
  • IPR support, marketing assistance, and demo-day connects with investors and corporates

Eligibility

Indian-registered startups working on products in the gaming, animation, AR/VR, esports, or broader digital entertainment domain. The program prioritises Northeast-based founders and teams looking to scale from the region.

Impact

Across all eight Northeast OctaNE CoEs, STPI has incubated 257+ startups, supported the development of 51 working prototypes, and helped commercialise 217 innovative products — making OctaNE one of the most active government-backed tech incubator networks in the Northeast.

Who Should Apply

Early-stage and idea-stage founders building in gaming, entertainment, animation, AR/VR, or content-tech, especially those based in or willing to relocate to Aizawl, Mizoram. The program is well-suited for technical founders looking for non-dilutive seed capital, incubation infrastructure, and access to a Northeast innovation network.

Who they work with

Stage

Sectors

Tags

Frequently asked questions about OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment

What does OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment do?

OctaNE CoE Aizawl is a Centre of Excellence under the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), set up at STPI Aizawl in Mizoram with a domain focus on Gaming & Entertainment.

Where is OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment located?

OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment is based in Aizawl, Mizoram, India.

What programs does OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment run?

OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment runs Open Challenge Program (OCP) and Direct funding support to the units.

What sectors does OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment support?

OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment works with startups in Gaming, Entertainment, Animation, AR/VR and Media & Content.

What stage of startup does OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment support?

OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment supports startups at the Ideation, Validation and Early Revenue stages.

What facilities does OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment offer?

OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment offers Physical Lab Facilities, Ready to Work Plug and Play Space, Network Operation Center (NOC), Incubation & Co-Working Facilities, Co-Working Facilities and 100-seater state-of-the-art incubation.

Is OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment government recognised?

OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment holds the following recognitions and affiliations: Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) supported by STPI under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

When was OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment founded?

OctaNE CoE Aizawl - Gaming & Entertainment was founded in 2018. It operates as a government.