We’re thrilled to share that Second Quest has been selected under the Open Challenge Program (OCP) 6.0 of STPI OctaNE Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) at Aizawl, in the Gaming & Entertainment track.
Being selected for the OctaNE program is both a proud moment and a deeply energising one. As builders working on ambitious ideas from India, we’re constantly seeking ecosystems that embrace innovation, and the Northeast region of India is proving to be one such place full of potential. For a young studio like ours, this is a chance to engage with a region that’s bursting with untapped talent and to grow alongside it.
Why OctaNE Matters
OctaNE is a pioneering initiative: a network of 8 Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs) dedicated to Electronics and IT innovation in Northeast India. From IoT in Agriculture to Gaming, Animation, HealthTech and AI, this cluster supports startups working on real-world solutions in high-impact domains.
By selecting us for incubation at the Proof of Concept (PoC) stage, the OctaNE program has provided us with:
- Initial grant support to further our early development,
- Incubation benefits over a 3-year period,
- Access to mentorship, industry linkages, and CoE facilities, and
- The opportunity to attend a 3-month entrepreneurship training at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park.
We’re especially excited that the program is deeply rooted in community, innovation, and regional growth—values that resonate with our own vision at Second Quest.
Starting with the OctaNE Bootcamp
To kick off this journey, Kinshuk and I had the privilege of attending the STPI Guwahati OctaNE Bootcamp, a dynamic two-day event designed to orient and inspire the newly selected startups.
The experience was truly energising. From business presentations by successful OctaNE alumni, to keynote addresses from respected leaders like Smt. Vandana Srivastava (Jurisdiction Director, STPI Guwahati), Shri Kalyan Kar (Co-Founder at Prediqt Business Solutions Private Limited, Co-Founder & Director –InQube Innoventures, Chief Mentor Agartala CoE), and Shri Kvulo Lorin (Chairman, Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation), it was a deep dive into what it takes to succeed as a startup in today’s tech-driven world.
A highlight for us was the mentoring session by Padma Shri Dr. Uddhab Bharali, whose work on innovation at the grassroots is a powerful reminder of the change tech can enable when driven by purpose.
The bootcamp also featured a thought-provoking panel on “From Grassroots to Global: Leveraging AI and Emerging Tech to Empower Regional Startups,” with leaders from IIM-CIP, IIT Guwahati, and North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) sharing insights on scaling deeptech ventures from regional hubs.
Another highlight was the opportunity to meet Shri K. V. Chandra Varma, Deputy Director and Officer-in-Charge at STPI Aizawl (our CoE). We’re truly looking forward to working closely with him and tapping into the immense creative and technical potential of the Northeast. It’s an exciting time to be part of this emerging ecosystem, and we hope to contribute meaningfully while learning a lot along the way.
Entrepreneurship Training from IIM-CIP
As part of the incubation journey, Second Quest has also been selected for a 3-month entrepreneurship training program at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIM-CIP). This initiative allows us to participate in an intensive training designed to build entrepreneurial leadership and strategic thinking.
At the OctaNE bootcamp, Shri Pankaj Baruah, Head of Portfolio Management at IIM-CIP, conducted a deeply insightful orientation session. He spoke candidly about his own entrepreneurial journey, the common pitfalls that early-stage founders face, and the mindset needed to build for long-term success. His guidance gave us clarity and confidence as we look ahead to our next milestones.
We’re incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited about the growth that this structured mentorship and training will unlock.
Building Our Proof of Concept
With the PoC grant in place, we’re doubling down on building Model Trains, our debut sandbox simulation game, and will be working toward milestone-driven releases over the next 12 months. What excites us most is that OctaNE gives us not just the capital, but a collaborative platform—one that believes in the power of gaming, and the potential of Indian IPs to travel the world.
To everyone who made the OctaNE experience possible—thank you. We’re proud to be part of this new wave of creators from India’s Northeast and are committed to using this opportunity to build not just a product, but a sustainable, creator-friendly gaming platform from India.
🚂 Want to be part of shaping Model Trains?
Play the early prototype of Model Trains in our Playtest Program. Join today at beta.secondquest.games!
Stay tuned for more updates!
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