Panaji: Aspiring to be India’s Creative Capital, Goa is rapidly evolving into a technological and creative hub. It is now home to 696 DPIIT-recognised startups, which is among the highest per capita in the country.
Further accelerating the growth of Goa’s startup ecosystem, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C), Goa, has launched the Goa Startup Policy 2025, designed to foster entrepreneurship, encourage emerging technologies and establish Goa as a hub for innovation, startups and creative professionals.
With a vision to position the State as a premier startup destination by 2028, the Goa Startup Policy 2025 outlines measurable goals, including, establishing 1,000 startups, providing employment to 10,000 Goans within startup ventures, enabling 100 startups to access venture funding, facilitating government collaboration with 50 startups and fostering partnerships with incubators, accelerators, market spaces, entrepreneurs, corporates, investors, educational institutions, industry associations, government departments and other key stakeholders.
Under the leadership of Shri Rohan Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for ITE&C, Goa is nurturing a spirit of entrepreneurship from the grassroot level itself. The Campus Innovation Scheme, under the new policy offers grants to students engaged in entrepreneurial or research-based projects reimbursing expenses incurred during project development.
Startups can also benefit from the Skill Enhancement Scheme, which provides reimbursement for skill development courses in AI and other emerging technologies. The Government will also collaborate with private entities and assist educational institutions and industrial parks in setting up IT labs, Maker Labs, Centres of Excellence, and Innovation Centres.
A dedicated mentoring and funding program will be further implemented to support women entrepreneurs, providing monthly allowances to startups founded by women working on innovative projects. Additionally, the new Promotion and Marketing Assistance Scheme will support startups participating in government supported exhibitions and shows, by reimbursing a significant portion of the cost.
Envisioning a future where innovation and entrepreneurship thrive, the Goa Startup Policy 2025 is creating an ecosystem that nurtures the next generation of leaders and creators. This policy will play a pivotal role in making Goa a global hub for creativity, technology and innovation; and establish Goa as the Creative Capital of India.
