Delhi Government to Roll Out ‘Startup Policy’ with ₹325 Crore Investment Over Five Years
The Delhi government is set to introduce a comprehensive Startup Policy with an investment of ₹325 crore over the next five years, education minister Ashish Sood announced on Wednesday. The policy’s legal framework will cover all key aspects of a thriving startup ecosystem, including incubation, funding, industry partnerships, and market access.
Speaking at Delhi’s first annual Youth Startup Festival at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Sood said, “The policy aims to enable 5,000 startups to be developed by Delhi’s youth by 2035, providing support from incubation to market access.” The festival saw participation from 11 universities, colleges, and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the capital.
The initiative, called “Campus to Market,” is designed to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem that connects students at all levels, including schools, colleges, and technical skill centres, with mentorship, funding, and market opportunities.
“The Delhi government is creating a full ecosystem from school to higher and technical education, placing skills, entrepreneurship, and innovation at its core,” Sood said. “The Youth Startup Festival is a platform that nurtures this youth-driven entrepreneurial spirit.”
Under the initiative, the top six student-led startups received equity-free grants of ₹10 lakh each, while the top 100 startups were awarded ₹1 lakh each to mitigate early-stage risks.
The festival was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also in attendance.
