Why Goa Wants You to Work From Its Beaches
In response to the evolving meaning of work and productivity in the post-pandemic world, the Goa government launched a visionary initiative to support this emerging work culture. With a focus on creating an extension of the existing culture of working from Goa, the state government is actively developing infrastructure that blends the comforts of home with the productivity of a professional workplace. For instance, under the Goa Startup Policy 2021, IT and tech startups can benefit from seven incentive schemes. Among them is the Coworking Spaces/Incubators/Accelerators Subsidy Scheme, which is designed to support startups by reimbursing part of their workspace expenses at facilities approved by the Startup Information Technology Promotion Cell (SITPC). Startups can claim benefits for up to two years in coworking spaces, one year in incubators, and three months in accelerators. The reimbursement applies to any plan offered by the listed spaces. Each year, 100 coworking seats and 50 each in incubators and accelerators will be subsidised. In exceptional cases, the SITPC may choose to reimburse up to 100% of the cost for deserving startups. In an exclusive interview with AIM, Goa’s IT minister Rohan Khaunte mentioned, “We are creating some co-working spaces…The idea [is to set them up] on beaches.” The coworking facilities will be set up at Morjim and Ashvem beaches and are scheduled to launch in September. Colva is another location in Goa where a coworking space is being developed through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The broader vision is to create a network of beachside coworking hubs that encourage both startups and digital professionals to work from Goa while enjoying its unique lifestyle and environment. However, Goa’s technology and innovation initiatives are being developed across various parts of the state. For instance, the Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) is coming up in Tuem village, near the Manohar International Airport in North Goa. Another key project is the hybrid tech cluster in Porvorim, a bustling and vibrant area close to Panaji, making it an ideal location for tech-driven development. Having said that, the state currently hosts many coworking facilities such as 91Springboard, Bootstart, Moustache Cowork Hostel, Clay, coLABr and Corporate Deck, among others. Tech-Focused Rebranding Goa is focusing on rebranding itself as a hub for industries powered by creativity and tech, spanning AVGC (animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics) to media-tech, platform-based IT solutions, and research and development. In fact, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal, while addressing the Amazing Goa Global Business Summit 2024, stated that Goa has the potential to become a manufacturing hub for semiconductor chips, high-quality electronics, and tech-driven companies. Efforts are also underway to set up a mini global capability centre in the state, which will serve as an innovation hub for multinational companies. Khaunte further highlighted that the EMC at Tuem, envisioned as a design village, is currently under development, with operations expected to begin within the year. This facility will provide essential infrastructure for prototyping and testing, aimed at supporting the creative community in product development. The design village will also include elements of skill development to further empower innovators and creators. Moreover, the Goa government is also developing a hybrid IT park. Attracting Tech Talent Regarding the tech talent pool, Khaunte said talent from across the country is already present, and they are actively looking for people in the creative space. In line with this, Goa is also focusing on attracting a specialised and highly skilled group known as digital nomads—professionals from around the world who work remotely while travelling. While it may be too early to name specific companies, Khaunte said that several firms have already begun operations in Goa, particularly in the electronics manufacturing sector. These include businesses working on advanced technologies such as anti-drone systems and electric vehicles, with some already exporting their products to multiple countries. To support this growing ecosystem, a dedicated skilling centre is also being developed. Furthermore, Goa hosts a strong educational ecosystem that includes premier institutions, including IIT, BITS Pilani and the Goa Institute of Management. The state is also home to five engineering colleges, including its oldest, Goa College of Engineering. What to Expect This Year? Khaunte revealed that the government is prioritising the establishment of GCCs in this year’s state budget, a move also acknowledged by the central government. In line with this, the state is preparing to introduce a dedicated GCC policy. Currently, Goa already has several policies in place, including those for startups, IT, drones, and an upcoming design policy. An Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) policy is also expected to be announced soon. As outlined in the state’s startup policy, Goa had set a goal of reaching 500 startups by 2025. However, that target has already been surpassed, with close to 600 startups currently operating in the state, well ahead of schedule, Khaunte mentioned. Goa is already home to a unicorn startup, and several others have successfully raised funding. In total, startups in the state have secured around ₹1,300 crore from private investors. A number of prominent companies have also relocated their headquarters to Goa, including those in sectors like transport technology, sports technology, and renewable energy. In terms of infrastructure, specific locations across Goa have been identified to host tech-driven development, particularly in areas related to AI and R&D, which are central to the functioning of GCCs. These hubs are being designed to support deep-tech innovation and become centres for both national and international collaboration. Tale of 2 Tier and 3 Tier Cities GCCs in India are now expanding beyond major metropolitan areas to tap into the abundant talent pools available in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Many companies have already opened up GCCs in Visakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Jaipur, Vadodara, Kochi, Chandigarh, and other locations. According to the India Skill Report 2023, Lucknow and Mangalore, which are Tier 2 cities, fare in the top three most employable cities in India. Moreover, attrition rates in Tier 2 cities have been observed to be up to 10% lower than Tier 1 locations.Assessing the same, Arindam Sen, partner at EY, told AIM that the GCCs he has worked with are finding good talent in such cities. “A smart move companies made is offering the same salary regardless of location,”  He explained.
Coworking facilities will be set up at Morjim and Ashvem beaches and are scheduled to launch in September.
Coworking facilities will be set up at Morjim and Ashvem beaches and are scheduled to launch in September.
["Goa Government"]
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["AI", "Aim", "Colab", "RAG", "R", "Go", "Git", "ViT", "RPA", "innovation"]
Shalini is a senior tech journalist, exploring the latest advancements in AI. When she's not reporting on the latest innovations, you can find her immersed in her next literary adventure.