The Maharashtra government has launched its ambitious Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025, aiming to nurture 1.3 lakh entrepreneurs and recognize up to 50,000 startups over the next five years.
Central to this initiative is a dedicated Innovation City spanning 300 acres, designed to bring together startups, corporates, investors, academia, and government agencies under one roof. This hub will facilitate collaborative cutting-edge research and innovation, with participation from industry experts and entrepreneurs.
To empower startups at the grassroots level, the government will implement the ‘CM Maha Fund’, with a corpus of Rs 500 crore over five years. Selected candidates will receive loans ranging from Rs 5 lakh to 10 lakh, in collaboration with financial institutions. Additionally, a venture fund will be established to support deep-tech and women-led startups that offer scalable, socially relevant solutions.
The policy also addresses one of the biggest hurdles for startups — cash flow. Mechanisms will be created with financial institutions to provide loans against confirmed work orders from reliable clients, including government bodies and renowned corporations.
Further support includes funding up to Rs 5 crore per incubation centre and dedicated capacity-building programs to strengthen their operational capabilities.
By focusing on innovation, financial support, and incubation, Maharashtra aims to become a leading startup destination, creating high-impact innovations and sustainable employment opportunities across the state.
