New Delhi: The state Cabinet has approved the Delhi Startup and Incubation Policy, committing more than ₹400 crore over the next five years to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and research in the capital, CM Rekha Gupta said Thursday. The policy seeks to create a structured support system for aspiring entrepreneurs by providing incubation facilities, mentorship and milestone-based funding through educational institutions.CM Gupta said the policy aims to transform Delhi’s youth from job seekers into job creators by ensuring that promising ideas do not fail due to lack of financial support, mentoring or infrastructure. The govt seeks to strengthen the capital’s position as a leading innovation hub while generating new employment opportunities.In its first phase, the policy will be rolled out across 11 state universities, 13 govt-aided colleges, polytechnic institutes, industrial training institutes (ITIs) and govt schools. Eligible institutions will receive a one-time financial assistance to establish or strengthen incubation centres, along with annual operational support for mentoring programmes, networking events and innovation activities.For students, researchers, faculty members, alumni and aspiring entrepreneurs associated with these institutions, the policy offers a structured pathway from idea to enterprise. Startups incubated at these centres will receive financial assistance linked to specific milestones, including proof of concept, prototype development, product development, market validation and commercialisation.The incubation centres will also provide office infrastructure, expert mentoring, business advisory services, intellectual property support, access to laboratories and testing facilities, besides opportunities to connect with investors and industry partners. The govt said this ecosystem is intended to help startups at every stage of growth rather than limiting support to seed funding.An annual Delhi Startup Youth Festival will bring together startups, investors, educational institutions, policymakers and industry representatives to showcase ideas, build partnerships and encourage entrepreneurship among young innovators, said the CMO.Implementation of the policy will be overseen by the State Incubation Policy Monitoring Committee, comprising representatives from the govt, academia, industry and the startup ecosystem. The committee will monitor implementation, ensure transparency and recommend performance-based financial support.The govt said the policy is expected to strengthen collaboration between educational institutions and industry, promote research-led innovation and contribute to the growth of Delhi’s knowledge-based economy, while creating a pipeline of new startups emerging from campuses across the city.
