Entrepreneurs from Northeast India have increasingly been focusing on the national level in recent years. The Northeast region of India has traditionally been seen as a remote and neglected part of the country, with limited economic opportunities and infrastructure. However, with the government's "Act East" policy and increased focus on developing the region, there has been a surge of entrepreneurship and innovation in the Northeast.

Entrepreneurs from the Northeast are now venturing out of their home states and expanding their businesses to other parts of the country. They are leveraging their unique cultural and geographical advantages to create products and services that cater to a national market. For example, startups from the Northeast are using indigenous materials and traditional knowledge to create eco-friendly products that are in high demand across India.

In a recent venture, Arunachal Pradesh-based entrepreneur Tage Rita secured Rs. 75 lakhs worth of deal for her winery Naara Aaba at Shark Tank India (Season 2).

Shark Tank India has a long track record of supporting entrepreneurs, having helped numerous startups over the years to achieve great success. With its fund, the show is taking its commitment to the next level by providing direct financial support to entrepreneurs.

This year, during the season 2 of Shark Tank India, Entrepreneur Tage Rita got to pitch her range of kiwi wines under the brand name called Naara-Aaba. The  Naara-Aaba winery is located in Hong village, Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh, and is one of the first ventures from Northeast India to be featured in Shark Tank India platform.

The episode aired on 13th March 2023 on the Sony LIV channel, where Rita pitched her wine products to Sharks Aman Gupta, Namita Tappar, Amit Jain, Vineeta Singh, and Vikas D Nahar. Out of the five sharks, Vineeta Singh of Sugar Cosmetics and Vikas D Nahar of Happilo came onboard with an offer of Rs. 50 lakhs investment for 5% equity and Rs. 25 lakhs debt at 10% interest, amounting to a total of Rs. 75 lakhs worth of funding.

Apart from the funding secured through the Shark Tank India platform, Naara-Aaba is also associated with the recently held Mrs. Arunachal 2023 as its Title Sponsor. Mrs. Koj Baya Eshi was crowned as Naara-Aaba Mrs. Arunachal 2023 on March 11, 2023.

Naara Aaba's journey began in 2017 to create market linkage for the under-utilized kiwi fruits of the region, which grew in abundance. Rita started procuring kiwis from the local farmers to make wine out of it. Before it, the region’s kiwi farmers were not able to fetch proper market value for their produce, due to which, the kiwis went to waste.  

Today the winery not only produces kiwi wines but has also expanded its range by including other fruit variants such as plums, wild apples, and pears. The winery is open for tourist visits also, where visitors get to indulge in wine tasting sessions. They plan to launch their wine products in other states this year, including in Assam.

Naara Aaba's success story is not only about creating delicious wines but also about supporting the local farming community and promoting sustainable agriculture in the region. The company's founder- Tage Rita, is an inspiration to other entrepreneurs and a testament to the potential of the region.

This achievement is significant not only for NaaraAaba but also for the Northeast region as a whole. It's encouraging to see entrepreneurs from this part of the country taking their ideas and businesses to national stages and putting the Northeast on the map.

Furthermore, the Northeast is strategically located between India and Southeast Asia, and entrepreneurs from the region are looking to tap into the growing trade and economic opportunities in the region. Many startups from the Northeast are also focused on leveraging technology to solve local problems and create scalable solutions.

Overall, entrepreneurs from the Northeast are increasingly focused on the national level and are making significant contributions to India's startup ecosystem. Their focus on innovation, sustainability, and technology is helping to create a more vibrant and diverse entrepreneurial landscape in the country.