The Yogi government is making sustained efforts to establish Uttar Pradesh as one of the country’s leading startup and innovation hubs. To this end, emphasis is being laid on developing an ecosystem that encourages innovation, entrepreneurship and new business ideas among the youth, while ensuring that aspiring entrepreneurs receive the necessary support to transform their ideas into successful businesses.
In this direction, incubators, host institutions and accelerator programmes have been assigned an important role under the Uttar Pradesh Startup Mission to promote startups.
The Yogi government’s objective is to ensure that young entrepreneurs have access to the necessary resources, guidance and institutional support within the state itself to establish and expand their ventures.
Uttar Pradesh Startup Mission CEO Sumit Mahajan said, “Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision extends beyond providing support to startups at the initial stage. Special emphasis is also being laid on helping them expand their businesses and become investment-ready after developing their products.
In this regard, incubators will play a crucial role in strengthening the startup ecosystem. Through these incubators, startups will be provided with plug-and-play facilities, meeting and conference rooms, office space and shared administrative services. Essential facilities such as high-speed internet will also be made available, ensuring that emerging entrepreneurs do not have to invest substantial resources in basic infrastructure during the initial stages.”
The role of incubators will not be limited to providing office space and workplaces. They will also extend support to startups through mentorship, training, funding, legal services, accountancy, technical assistance, networking activities and marketing.
Necessary coordination will be undertaken with the state and central governments to facilitate these services. This will help emerging entrepreneurs not only establish their businesses but also address the practical challenges associated with running them.
The CEO said, “Host institutions have also been entrusted with an important responsibility in expanding the startup ecosystem across the state. These will include reputed technology, management and research and development (R&D) institutions established or operated by the Uttar Pradesh government, as well as those recognised by it.”
The objective is to establish incubators through these institutions with a specific focus on developing and promoting entrepreneurship in the state. This will enable the expertise available at academic and technical institutions to be leveraged for nurturing new ventures.
To help startups prepare for business expansion after product development, an accelerator programme has also been envisaged. It will be a structured, time-bound programme lasting at least 12 weeks. The focus will be on startups that have completed product development and established an initial market presence or are at the stage of expanding their businesses.
The accelerator programme will offer intensive mentorship, assistance in accessing markets, training to prepare for investments and opportunities to exchange experiences with other startups.
Its objective is to strengthen the business capabilities of startups, accelerate revenue growth and enhance their preparedness to attract investments.
Certain mandatory conditions have also been prescribed for the programme. An accelerator programme must run for a minimum of 12 weeks and include a cohort of at least five startups. It must be conducted by an organisation empanelled with the UP Startup Mission.
The curriculum must include preparation for investor presentations, financial model reviews, go-to-market strategies and at least two Demo Days or investor outreach events.
Notably, participating startups will not be required to offer any equity to the programme organisers as a condition of participation.
Institutions have also been classified into different categories for the accelerator programme. Tier-1 will comprise nationally and internationally recognised accelerators. These will include accelerators recognised by the DPIIT, SEBI-registered AIFs engaged in acceleration activities, and international accelerators with a portfolio of at least 50 successfully matured startups. Examples include Y Combinator, Techstars, T-Hub Lab32, CIIE at IIM Ahmedabad and IIT-based accelerators.
Tier-3 will comprise other eligible institutions empanelled with the UP Startup Mission. These may include academic institutions, industry associations and emerging accelerators.
The Central Government’s notification dated February 4, 2026, has been adopted as the basis for defining startups and determining their eligibility.
Accordingly, private limited companies, registered partnership firms, LLPs and cooperative societies fulfilling the prescribed conditions may qualify as startups.
For general startups, the eligibility period has been fixed at 10 years from the date of registration, with an annual turnover limit of Rs 200 crore in any financial year.
Additionally, the entity must be working towards innovation, development or improvement of products, processes or services, or have a scalable business model with significant potential for employment and wealth creation.
Deep-tech startups, however, have been granted special provisions, making them eligible for a period of up to 20 years and an annual turnover of up to Rs 300 crore in any financial year. However, an entity formed by splitting up or restructuring an existing business will not be recognised as a startup.
Uttar Pradesh Startup Mission to provide institutional support to innovative ideas of young entrepreneurs
Focus on providing startups with mentorship, funding, legal and technical assistance
Startups to be prepared for business expansion and investment through accelerator programmes of at least 12 weeks
Deep-tech startups to be eligible for a period of up to 20 years and turnover of up to Rs 300 crore
