In a major move to position Maharashtra as a global innovation powerhouse, the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has approved the Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025. The policy sets an ambitious target of nurturing 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs and 50,000 startups over the next five years, focusing on inclusive growth across all regions and sectors.
As of May 31, 2025, Maharashtra leads India’s startup landscape with over 29,147 registered startups, accounting for nearly 18% of the national total. The new policy aims to strengthen this ecosystem through a mix of financial support, capacity building, and infrastructure development.
The policy will be implemented by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSIS), under the guidance of a general body chaired by the Chief Minister and comprising secretaries from key departments like industry, finance, IT, education, health, and agriculture. A minimum of 0.5% of departmental budgets will be earmarked specifically for innovation and entrepreneurship.
A key feature of the policy is the introduction of a centralised Unique ID system for startups, incubators, and stakeholders, along with an online knowledge portal that will aggregate information on schemes, mentors, funding, and success stories.
To boost infrastructure, the state will support micro-incubators in ITIs, polytechnics, and colleges, and fund incubation centres with assistance of up to ₹5 crore. A performance-linked incubator ranking framework, regional innovation hubs, and the development of a 300-acre Maharashtra Innovation City will further accelerate R&D and co-working infrastructure.
On the financial front, the policy promises seed funding, a state-backed venture fund, and a fund-of-funds model to support startups at various stages. Other provisions include IPR reimbursements (₹5 lakh for domestic, ₹20 lakh for international), quality certification support (up to ₹15 lakh), and exhibition support (₹2 lakh domestic, ₹5 lakh international).
The policy also introduces a ₹500 crore Chief Minister MahaFund aimed at supporting 25,000 grassroots entrepreneurs selected from a pool of 5 lakh candidates. Youth-focused initiatives include Student Innovation Challenges, Startup Yatras, and the establishment of E-Cells in schools, ITIs, and colleges.
Inclusive entrepreneurship is a strong focus, with a dedicated Women Entrepreneurship Wing, region-wise women-centric incubators, and special grants for rural women-led startups. The policy also promises tailored support for persons with disabilities, transgender entrepreneurs, and other marginalised groups.
Finally, the policy encourages national and international partnerships with academia, industry, NGOs, and CSR entities. Global market access, innovation exchanges, and investor networks will be leveraged to provide Maharashtra-based startups with a truly global platform.
Following the cabinet approval, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister for Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, emphasised that the new policy has been designed to offer structured guidance, financial support, and mentorship to ensure young entrepreneurs receive the backing they need early on, rather than losing years without direction.
Manisha Verma, Additional Chief Secretary of the department, added that the policy goes beyond mere subsidies—it represents a comprehensive ecosystem approach aimed at establishing Maharashtra as the country’s foremost hub for innovation.
Currently, Maharashtra boasts over 14,000 women-led startups and is home to 27 of India’s 117 unicorns, accounting for 23% of the national total. Each of the state’s 36 districts has at least 20 recognised startups, underscoring a wide and inclusive distribution of entrepreneurial activity. Maharashtra has also earned national recognition for administrative excellence and ranks among the top-performing states in the Startup Ranking Framework (2022–23).
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