Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Policy 2025

• 06 Aug 2025

Why in News? 

The Maharashtra state cabinet has approved the Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Policy 2025, aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the state.  

Key Points 

• About: The policy focuses on creating 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs and 50,000 startups over the next five years.  
  • Maharashtra is already leading the country with 29,146 startups (18% of India's total), and seeks to build an even more robust ecosystem for innovation. 
• Key Objectives: 
  • Create 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs and 50,000 startups in 5 years. 
  • Encourage startups led by women and youth through targeted support. 
  • Enhance Maharashtra's position as a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. 
• Financial and Infrastructure Support: 
  • Maha-Fund (Rs 500 crore): Financial assistance for 25,000 early-stage entrepreneurs from a pool of 5 lakh youth. This will follow a three-stage selection process and will include mentoring, incubation, and funding support. 
  • Maharashtra Innovation City: A 300-acre innovation hub bringing together startups, corporates, educational institutions, and the government to foster research and development. 
  • Departmental Innovation Fund: All state departments will be required to allocate 0.5% of their annual funds towards promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. 
  • Startup Week Incentives: Startups selected during the Maharashtra Startup Week will get opportunities to work directly with government departments, with pilot work orders worth up to Rs 25 lakh. 
• Support for Incubators and Regional Hubs: 
  • Micro-incubators will be established in ITIs, polytechnics, and educational institutions across Maharashtra to ensure organized infrastructure for innovation. 
  • Regional innovation hubs will be set up in each administrative division to promote local entrepreneurial ecosystems. 
• Financial Assistance and Recognition: 
  • Compensation for Patents & Certifications: Financial support for patent registration, product quality certifications, and participation in domestic and international exhibitions. 
  • Loan Assistance: A special mechanism will be created for startups that have secured work orders from public institutions or trusted customers. 
• Implementation Agency: The policy will be executed through the Maharashtra State Innovation Society. 

Key Facts About Maharashtra 

• It is the most industrialised state in India and has maintained its leading position in the industrial sector in the country.  
• At current prices, Maharashtra’s gross state domestic product was estimated at Rs. 49.39 trillion (USD 578.31 billion) in 2025-26.  
• According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), between October 2019-December 2024, the FDI inflow in Maharashtra stood at Rs. 6,71,863 crore (USD 85.73 billion).  
  • Maharashtra ranked first for the highest FDI reception.  
• Maharashtra had 12 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) with valid in-principal approvals, 51 SEZs with formal approvals, and 45 SEZs with notified approvals.  
  • As of October 2020, the state had 37 exporting SEZs across diversified sectors, including textiles and apparel, food processing, footwear and leather products, multi-product, pharma, and IT SEZs.