Bhubaneswar: In a major leap into the global financial technology arena, Odisha is set to launch of the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) in Bhubaneswar on August 21.
A joint effort by the Odisha government and the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), the initiative aims to position the state as a leading hub for FinTech innovation, digital capability, and global collaboration.
The I-GFTCH project represents Odisha’s first comprehensive foray into FinTech, blending global learning programs, startup innovation, and offshore capability development.
A five-month hybrid certification programme in FinTech and InsurTech will launch in September, in collaboration with NUS-AIDF and GFTN, targeting over 7,000 students across the state.
Bhubaneswar will also host the prestigious Black Swan Summit (BSS) India in early 2026, connecting local talent with global thought leaders in AI, tokenisation, and quantum computing. A dedicated Centre of Excellence will fuel entrepreneurship through mentoring, incubation, and venture support.
Odisha’s Electronics & IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling lauded the initiative’s impact: “This is an investment in youth that aligns with India’s innovation economy.”
Minister for Higher Education Suryabanshi Suraj said, “The certification boosts Odisha’s global digital credentials and fosters a future-ready workforce.”
The initiative, first conceptualised during Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s Odisha visit earlier this year, reflects Odisha’s bold vision for inclusive and globally connected economic growth.
This will be Odisha’s first large-scale FinTech initiative with a global footprint, aligning closely with national development goals and placing Bhubaneswar on the international FinTech map.