ENA State 2025-08-06 16:59:03 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>Mumbai, Aug 6 (KNN)</strong> The Maharashtra cabinet has approved the Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025, with the ambitious goal of creating 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs and 50,000 startups over the next five years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Maharashtra currently leads the country with over 29,000 registered startups, accounting for 18 per cent of Indias total.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The policy focuses on building a robust ecosystem for startups, with special incentives for ventures led by women and youth.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">A key highlight is the Rs 500 crore Chief Ministers Maha-Fund, which will support 25,000 early-stage entrepreneurs selected fr0m a pool of 5 lakh youth through a three-stage process. Selected individuals will receive mentoring, incubation support, and funding.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">A major initiative under the policy is the creation of Maharashtra Innovation City, a 300-acre hub that will bring together startups, corporates, academic institutions, and government departments to promote research and innovation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Additionally, every state department will be required to allocate 0.5 per cent of its annual budget to support entrepreneurship and innovation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Startups shortlisted under the Maharashtra Startup Week will be given direct opportunities to work with government departments and may receive pilot work orders worth up to Rs 25 lakh.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">To enhance infrastructure, micro-incubators will be set up in ITIs, polytechnics, and colleges across the state. Regional hubs for innovation will also be established in each administrative division.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The policy also includes provisions for financial support for patent filing, product certifications, and participation in trade exhibitions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">A dedicated mechanism will be introduced to help startups secure loans, especially those with work orders fr0m government or reputed institutions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the policy reflects a strong commitment to making Maharashtra a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, aligned with the states goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy.</span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px">(KNN Bureau)</span></strong></em></p> 43084 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/state/maharashtra-approves-new-startup-policy-to-create-125-lakh-entrepreneurs-50000-startups-in-next-5-years 2025-08-06 16:59:03 knnindia.co.in