Government approves Delhi Start-up and Incubation Policy

The Delhi Government has approved the Delhi Start-up and Incubation Policy with the aim of giving a fresh push to innovation, research and entrepreneurship in the national capital.

Under this ambitious policy, more than `400 crore will be invested over the next five years. In its initial phase, it will be implemented in 11 state universities, 13 government-aided colleges, polytechnic institutions, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and Government schools. The policy has received the Cabinet’s approval. The Government will provide one-time financial assistance to eligible institutions for setting up and strengthening incubation centres. In addition, these centres will receive annual operational support for mentoring, networking, innovation activities and the overall development of the start-up ecosystem.

Sharing details about the new policy, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the policy is designed to develop Delhi into one of the country’s leading hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship while ensuring that young people receive every possible support to turn their ideas into successful start-ups.

She said the initiative is not just about helping people launch start-ups but about transforming Delhi’s youth from job seekers into job creators.

The Chief Minister said the government wants to ensure that students, researchers, teachers, alumni and aspiring entrepreneurs with promising ideas never face a shortage of resources, mentorship or financial assistance to take those ideas forward.

According to the chief minister, start-ups associated with these incubation centres will receive milestone-based financial assistance at different stages of their growth.

The support will cover various phases, including prototype development, proof of concept, product development, market validation and commercialisation, enabling promising ideas to grow into successful enterprises.

She added that the incubation centres will provide young entrepreneurs with modern infrastructure, expert mentoring, business advisory services, intellectual property support, access to laboratories and testing facilities, as well as opportunities to connect with investors and industry. This will ensure step-by-step support for students and young innovators from ideation to incubation and commercialisation.

She said the Annual Delhi Start-up Youth Festival will be one of the policy’s flagship initiatives and will be developed as a premier platform for innovation in the capital. The festival will bring together young innovators, educational institutions, start-ups, investors, industry representatives and policymakers. It will serve as a venue to showcase new ideas, foster new partnerships and encourage young entrepreneurs to take their ventures forward.

The Chief Minister said the State Incubation Policy Monitoring Committee (SIPMC) will oversee the implementation of the policy. The committee will comprise representatives from the government, educational institutions, industry and the start-up ecosystem.