NewKerala.com

MP Aims for 10,000 Startups in 18 Months, Boosts Women-Led Ventures

Madhya Pradesh has set an ambitious target to increase its number of startups from 6,500 to 10,000 within the next year and a half. The state's startup ecosystem already boasts that 47% of its ventures are women-led, significantly outperforming the national average. This growth is being driven by the Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy, 2025, which offers substantial financial support including grants and a seed fund. Leadership expressed confidence that this push will contribute to India's rise as a global economic leader.

Key Points: MP Targets 10,000 Startups, Showcases Robust Ecosystem Support

  • Target of 10,000 startups in 18 months
  • 47% of startups are women-led
  • Rs 100 crore seed capital fund
  • Showcases low-cost agricultural innovation
2 min read

MP sets ambitious target; increase startups from 6,500 to 10,000 in 18 months

Madhya Pradesh announces plan to grow startups from 6,500 to 10,000 in 18 months, highlighting strong support for women entrepreneurs and new policy incentives.

"These grants are not charity but smart economic initiatives for entrepreneurial mainstreaming. - Raghvendra Kumar Singh"

Bhopal, Jan 12

Bhopal witnessed a bold declaration of intent at the Madhya Pradesh Startup Summit and Ecosystem Awards 2026, held at Ravindra Bhavan.

Madhya Pradesh has announced its ambitious plan to expand its startup base from the current 6,500 to 10,000 within the next year-and-a-half, underscoring its growing role in India's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.

Principal Secretary (Industry) of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), Raghvendra Kumar Singh, highlighted that the summit was not merely a review of past achievements but a platform to align policy, administration, and entrepreneurship for future growth.

He noted India's position as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, with nearly 159,000 Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade-registered startups, more than 100 unicorns, and 16 lakh direct jobs.

Madhya Pradesh, he emphasised, is already outperforming national averages, with nearly 3,100 women-led ventures, and is determined to scale up further under the Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy, 2025.

The Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy, 2025, offers robust financial and infrastructural support, including a Rs 100 crore seed capital fund, grants up to Rs 30 lakh, interest subsidies, and subsistence allowances.

Women-led startups account for 47 per cent of the state's ecosystem -- three times the national average -- while inclusive measures extend to SC/ST entrepreneurs, incubation support, and digital infrastructure.

"These grants are not charity but smart economic initiatives for entrepreneurial mainstreaming," Singh remarked, citing successful ventures in districts like Narmadapuram, Vidisha, and Harda.

While Chief Minister Mohan Yadav underscored India's legacy of innovation, recalling the pioneering work of Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose in plant sensitivity, microwaves, and semiconductors.

He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives in fostering research and entrepreneurship, including programmes launched from Indore in 2022.

Showcasing local innovation, Chief Minister Yadav highlighted a startup developing a low-cost machine capable of harvesting one acre of crops for just Rs 10 in an hour, addressing agricultural and environmental challenges.

"India, now the fourth-largest economy, will soon rise to third and eventually first," the Chief Minister declared confidently.

The summit reaffirmed Madhya Pradesh's position as a leading state in India's startup rankings, with a vision to drive inclusive, future-ready growth and strengthen India's march toward becoming a global economic leader.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a woman entrepreneur from Indore, I can vouch for the supportive policies here. The grant we received was a game-changer. But the real challenge is scaling beyond the state. Need more national-level networking events.
R
Rohit P
Ambitious target! Adding 3500 startups in 18 months is a tall order. Hope the administration's execution matches the vision. Often, the paperwork and delays kill the enthusiasm. Simplify the process, please.
S
Sarah B
The agricultural innovation mentioned is what India truly needs. A machine that harvests for just Rs 10/acre/hour? That's revolutionary for our farmers. Hope such practical, grassroots solutions get the spotlight and funding they deserve.
V
Vikram M
Good to see districts like Narmadapuram and Harda being highlighted. Development shouldn't be limited to Bhopal and Indore. Inclusive growth means taking the startup culture to tier-2 and tier-3 cities. MP is on the right track.
K
Karthik V
While the numbers and targets sound impressive, I hope the focus is on quality and sustainability, not just quantity. We need startups that solve real Indian problems and can survive beyond the initial grant period. The "smart economic initiative" line is key.
M
Michael C

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50