Fueler Got Invited by the Government of Tripura to a Design Thinking Workshop

Most startup stories in India typically begin in cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, or Delhi. These cities have better access to capital, mentors, startup communities, and early customers. Over time, we have started believing that meaningful startups can only come from these places.

But Fueler’s story did not begin there. It began in Agartala, Tripura, a small town in the Northeast of India. A place where talent is not rare, but opportunities are. A place where many young people have strong skills and big dreams, yet very few systems exist to help them turn those dreams into real companies.

I know this reality closely because I am building Fueler from here.

I’m Riten, founder of Fueler, a skills-first portfolio platform that helps people showcase their proof of work and helps companies hire through assignments instead of resumes. Fueler connects individuals and companies through real projects, portfolios, and work samples, not just degrees or CVs. In simple terms, we are building career infrastructure for people who want to be judged by what they can do.

A Day That Felt Different

A couple of days ago, it felt different from any other day in my startup journey. I, along with a few fellow founder friends, was invited by the Government of Tripura to attend a Design Thinking Workshop. The workshop was led by Prof. Sanyal, CEO of IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, along with his experienced team. It was organised by TIFT, the Tripura Institution for Transformation.

For founders building companies from a small town, such invitations are rare. Most of the time, policies are discussed without founders in the room. Decisions are made without understanding the ground reality. That is why this invitation itself felt like a step in the right direction.

The goal of the workshop was simple but important. It was about making the Tripura Startup Policy actually work. Not just on paper. Not just in presentations. But on the ground, for real founders who are trying to survive, grow, and build companies from Tripura.

What the Workshop Focused On

This was not a typical government meeting with long speeches and fixed agendas. Instead, the session was designed around listening and collaboration.

Founders, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders sat together to discuss real challenges. The conversations focused on understanding what is actually stopping startups from growing in Tripura. These included problems like lack of exposure, limited access to early customers, hiring challenges, the absence of mentors, and difficulty in scaling beyond the local market.

Another key discussion point was understanding what kind of support young founders actually need. Not what looks good in policy documents, but what truly helps in day-to-day startup life. This included practical guidance, early validation, access to skilled talent, and clarity around government support systems.

The final focus was on co-creating a roadmap that prioritises execution over excuses. Instead of blaming geography or limitations, the idea was to build systems that help founders move forward step by step.

Why This Workshop Stood Out

What made this workshop special was not the venue or the names involved. It was the mindset of the people running it.

They did not come with ready-made answers. They did not assume they knew everything about startups. Instead, they chose to listen, observe, and learn directly from founders who are building from the ground up.

As a founder, this approach matters a lot. Too often, founders are told what they should do by people who have never built a company themselves. This time, our experiences were valued. Our struggles were acknowledged. Our feedback was taken seriously.

For the first time, it felt like the system was not just talking about startups, but talking with startups.

The Reality of Building From a Small Town

Building a startup from a small town like Agartala is not easy. You do not have a strong network to fall back on. You do not have easy access to investors or early adopters. You are not surrounded by other founders who understand your daily struggles.

There is no pedigree college tag to impress people. There is no funding safety net. There is no shortcut.

Most days, it is just you and your laptop, trying to figure things out one problem at a time. You learn by failing. You grow by experimenting. You survive by staying consistent.

That is why initiatives like this workshop matter. If the ideas discussed here turn into real action, they can reduce the gap between founders in metro cities and founders in small towns.

Why This Matters for India’s Startup Future

India cannot build a strong startup ecosystem if innovation is limited to a few cities. Talent exists across the country, including in small towns and remote regions. When local ecosystems are supported, founders do not need to migrate to succeed.

Strong regional startup ecosystems create local jobs, solve local problems, and build sustainable businesses. Founders from small towns are often more resilient, more resourceful, and deeply connected to real-world problems.

Fueler itself exists because of a problem I personally faced. Talented people were being rejected not because they lacked skills, but because they could not prove them on paper. That insight came from lived experience, not from theory.

A Message to Founders Building From Small Towns

If you are building a startup from a small town, do not stop.

Progress may feel slow. Recognition may come late. Support may feel limited. But change is happening, even if it is gradual.

The system is starting to notice founders beyond big cities. Governments are beginning to include real builders in conversations. Policies are slowly becoming more grounded in reality.

Your journey matters. When you keep building, you are not just creating a company. You are creating a path for others who will follow. And that is how real ecosystems are built.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a design thinking workshop for startups?

A design thinking workshop for startups is a collaborative session where founders, policymakers, and experts work together to solve real problems. Instead of focusing on theory, the process starts with understanding real challenges faced by founders and users. This approach helps create practical solutions and startup policies that work on the ground.

2. Why is government involvement important for startup ecosystems in small towns?

Government involvement is important because private startup support systems are often limited in small towns. Governments can help by creating clear policies, providing access to mentors, enabling infrastructure, and supporting early-stage founders. When governments listen to founders directly, support becomes more relevant and effective.

3. What challenges do startups face in Tripura and similar regions?

Startups in Tripura and similar regions face challenges like limited exposure, difficulty in hiring skilled talent, lack of early customers, and fewer networking opportunities. Access to funding and mentorship is also limited. However, these regions have strong talent and unique problem spaces that can lead to impactful startups.

4. How can startup policies move from paper to real impact?

Startup policies create real impact only when they are executed properly. This means simple processes, clear communication, founder-friendly programs, and regular feedback loops with startups. Policies should evolve based on what founders experience on the ground, not just what looks good in documents.

5. Can founders from small towns build successful startups in India?

Yes, founders from small towns can absolutely build successful startups. Location does not decide ambition or capability. With internet access, learning resources, and consistent effort, founders can build strong companies from anywhere. What matters most is problem understanding, execution, and long-term commitment.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

Fueler is a career portfolio platform that helps companies find the best talent for their organization based on their proof of work.

You can create your portfolio on Fueler, thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

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