The vision of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is to transform the state into a leading startup hub. It is both ambitious as well as timely. He lately highlighted commitment of the government to strengthen innovation as well as create opportunities for the youth.
The announcement of Saini to triple the number of startups in Haryana reflects a strong focus on growth. There is a hope that Haryana can attract local talent and also investors as well as incubators from across the country with his assurance that the state government has ample funds to support budding entrepreneurs. His plans to introduce startup-friendly schemes in the 2025-26 budget further reinforce the vision.
Approach of the government stand out as it involves citizens, industrialists and stakeholders in shaping the policies.
The path to achieving may not be easy as cities like Bengaluru, Delhi NCR and Mumbai have continued to dominate the startup landscape. Tier II and Tier III cities are quickly emerging as strong contenders. An Annual Funding Report 2024 reveals that cities like Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai have secured significant funding and deals. Places like Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Chandigarh are also making their mark. The government must not only provide funding but also ensure that the ecosystem is conducive to growth for Haryana to compete with these cities.
This includes building good infrastructure, providing mentorship and simplifying regulatory processes.
The vision of Saini to position Haryana as a startup hub is of course a bold step and simultaneously it is also a necessary step. Haryana and other such tier II and tier III cities must rise in the segment as India is moving towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. Haryana can shine and surely become a startup hub in the country.