Agartala: In a significant achievement for Tripura’s growing startup ecosystem, Fueler, founded by entrepreneur Riten Debnath, has received the NEB Awards 2026 in the Tech Startup category at the Northeast Entrepreneurs Meet 2026 held at North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) in Arunachal Pradesh.
The award recognises Fueler’s innovation, growth potential and its contribution to developing modern career infrastructure for knowledge workers across India. The recognition was presented on February 21 during the Northeast Entrepreneurs Meet, a regional platform that brings together entrepreneurs, innovators and ecosystem leaders from across the Northeast to celebrate emerging businesses and entrepreneurial initiatives.
Fueler is operated by Kiwismedia Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and aims to transform the hiring process in the knowledge economy. Unlike traditional job platforms that rely heavily on resumes, Fueler allows professionals to showcase their “proof of work” through portfolios, assignments and real projects, enabling employers to evaluate candidates based on practical skills.
According to the company, the platform currently hosts more than 75,000 registered professionals and over 500 companies that use the system to discover and recruit talent. By focusing on work-based hiring rather than conventional resume screening, Fueler seeks to bridge the gap between skilled individuals and companies looking for capable professionals.
Founder Riten Debnath said the platform’s mission is to help talented individuals, particularly from smaller towns and underserved regions of India, gain access to national career opportunities. The approach, he said, is designed to solve a major challenge faced by young professionals who often struggle to showcase their abilities beyond academic degrees.
The certificate presented during the event acknowledged Fueler’s outstanding performance as an emerging startup, highlighting its innovation, growth potential and entrepreneurial excellence. The award was presented and signed by Nima Sona, whose organisation supports entrepreneurship initiatives across the Northeast.
Reacting to the recognition, Debnath said the award reflects the growing strength of the startup ecosystem in Tripura and the wider Northeast region.
“This recognition is not just for Fueler but for the entire startup ecosystem of the Northeast. It shows that impactful technology companies can emerge from smaller regions and build solutions for the whole country,” he said.
Debnath, who is also a TEDx speaker, has delivered talks on entrepreneurship and innovation at leading institutions including the Indian Institutes of Management and Indian Institutes of Technology.
Fueler’s long-term vision is to build a comprehensive career infrastructure platform where professionals can maintain verifiable portfolios of their work while companies hire talent through assignments and demonstrated capability.
The Northeast Entrepreneurs Meet continues to play an important role in promoting innovative ventures from the region and encouraging collaboration between founders, institutions and the wider startup community. Fueler’s recognition at the event highlights the increasing national attention that startups from Tripura and the Northeast are gaining for their innovation and impact.
