iLandlo team with others after winning grand prize for Startup Nagaland competition in Kohima on August 20. (Morung Photo)

ilandlo Services Pvt Ltd today won the grand prize for the company registered startup category during the Startup Nagaland Competition organized by the Department of Industries & Commerce, Nagaland, at Hotel de Oriental Grand, Kohima.

With this feat, ilandlo have qualified for the Rs 3 lakh award, which will be handed over to them by Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman during the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Investment Conclave in Kohima on August 23.

ilandlo co-founder and director Lipokjungla Ozukum said that Ilandlo was formed in 2013 after seeing the limited availability and accessibility of local products outside Nagaland, minimal market expansion opportunities for producers, as well as the lack of common online platform for local authors and publishers to sell their books.

On this note, she said that ilandlo started an e-commerce market platform and has been making local products available to the rest of the world.

Apart from promoting and selling the local products, Ozukum said that it also educates customers about Naga culture.
With the tag, ‘Empowering sustainable livelihood,’ Ilandlo deals in products that include food & gourmet, books, music, clothing, and accessories, among other.

Apart from India, it has coverage in United States of America, Ireland, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.

Along with co- founder and director Imtisunup Longchar, ilandlo has 20 members from Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung and Delhi.

Meanwhile, Ozukum made a plea to the people to be part of the journey of ilandlo and make the local products available all over the world.

Shiroi Lily Shaiza, co-founder of NagaEd has been declared winner of the best women led startup award. She will also receive Rs 1 Lakh during the CSR and Investment conclave in Kohima, which will be handed over by Sitharaman.

With founder Kevisato Sanyu, NagaEd empowers educators and students and deliver quality blended education solutions to tribal and indigenous communities.

It focuses on school eco system through learning management system, digital education advisory, professional development, teaching frameworks, lesson templates, awareness raising workshops, and information sessions.

NagaEd focuses on the principle that an educated and empowered community help build a better society.

Meanwhile, top 5 winners under Aspiring Startup Nagaland were Tribal Logistics, Ngurie Company, Tabernacle, Online Express and Modern Myriad Branding Private Limited. These winners will receive cash awards of Rs 50,000 each.

Five other competitors LED Bulb Unit, MonAram, TechiCynics, Gogivers and Murry Stone Craft will also get incubation offers for aspiring startups with digital and broadband reimbursement.

For the Registered Company category, NagaEd will get GST reimbursement while Sanang Eduservice LLP, Northeast Health Service Pvt Limited, Autocoin, and Jome Foods Pvt Ltd qualified for marketing and promoting assistance amounting to Rs 1 lakh each.

Ahibo LLP qualified for “Seed Funding.”

Representatives from North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFi) and HDFC Bank also spoke at the programme, stating that they look forward to working with the Naga entrepreneurs.

They also assured all possible assistance to take the Startup India initiative forward in Nagaland.

Earlier, Orenthung Lotha, additional secretary for Industries & Commerce, Nagaland and Agriculture Production Commissioner Y Kikheto Sema spoke at the introductory service and praised the commitment of the entrepreneurs.

Neichute Doulo and Richard Belho were the judges of the competition while YouthNet director Nuneseno Chase, Educentre School of Business founder and CEO Lezo Putsure, and Keneirienuo K Theunuo, Assistant Director for Industries & Commerce and Startup Nagaland team leader announced the name of the winners. Welcome address was delivered by Vitsutho Nyuthe, director, Industries & Commerce, Nagaland.