State Policies boosting women entrepreneurs

More and more women are becoming entrepreneurs, and this is making a big impact on businesses and the economy in our country. Businesses owned by women are not only creating jobs but are also influencing society and inspiring other women to start their own businesses.

Startup India has a vision to help women entrepreneurs grow sustainably for a more balanced development in the country. They are committed to strengthening women’s entrepreneurship through various initiatives, and schemes, creating networks, and forming partnerships among different stakeholders in the startup world.

Having a good policy at the state level is crucial for startups to get the necessary support like funding, mentorship, and market access. This support helps startups become significant contributors to a state’s economy by generating revenue and creating jobs. The policy also encourages and rewards important players in the startup ecosystem like incubators and educational institutions, promoting overall development.

The Startup India team actively helps states in creating and putting into action their startup policies. As of now, 31 out of the 36 States and Union Territories have their own dedicated Startup Policy. Interestingly, 27 of these policies were developed after the launch of the Startup India initiative in 2016. Every state and union territory has at least one officially recognized startup, and 653 districts host at least one such recognized startup.

States with startup policies for women

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Monthly allowances to women-led startups. To qualify, a startup must have a woman founder or co-founder holding at least 50% equity in the entity and meet other criteria specified in the Startup Funding & Incentives. .

Andhra Pradesh

Various incentives for women entrepreneurs, including permission to work in multiple shifts, subsidies on power bills, lease rentals, and reimbursements for stalls in recognized exhibitions. Additionally, there are investment subsidies on fixed capital to support and encourage women in their entrepreneurial ventures..

Assam

Provides a special one-time incentive of Rs. 5,000 for each woman hired by a startup, with a maximum limit of Rs. 1 lakh per startup for a duration of 3 years.

Bihar

Offers grants/exemptions/ subsidies for women entrepreneurs.

Jammu & Kashmir

Offers monthly allowance and assistance for research and development, marketing, and publicity to eligible startups with women founders.

Odisha

Offers monthly allowance at the ideation/ prototype stage and after the idea gets commercialized to eligible women entrepreneurs 

Uttarakhand

Offers allowance for marketing assistance to eligible women entrepreneurs 

Chhattisgarh

Innovation Fund, Leap of Faith Revolving Fund, and Venture Capital Fund of more than Rs. 100 crores will be earmarked for women innovators

Goa

Offers rental/lease reimbursement to all new and existing units having 30 percent women employees in the venture.

Gujarat

Offers monthly sustenance allowance to women founders post meeting the eligibility criteria

Haryana

Offers permission for women to work in multiple shifts in startups amongst other things.

Himachal Pradesh

Introducing a program to send startups, college and school students, and faculty to top startup destinations within the country and abroad to provide exposure and opportunities for interaction with industry leaders, thinkers, and innovators. Additionally, the state ensures that one-third of the representation includes women entrepreneurs, students, and teachers, among others.

Jharkhand

Offers reimbursement on lease rentals, amount paid to Internet Service Providers, and electricity dis-coms, amongst other incentives to eligible women entrepreneurs 

Karnataka

Plans to mandate all Government-supported incubators to allocate a minimum of 10% seats for Startups with women co-founders on a preferential basis.

Kerala

Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) provides support to women startups through a soft loan scheme, offering up to Rs. 15 Lakhs as working capital for executing projects from Government departments and Public Sector Undertakings in Kerala. Young women entrepreneurs (18 to 45 years) and those from SC/ST backgrounds receive the assistance of 20%, capped at INR 30 lakhs..

Maharashtra

Provides various incentives, including an Incentive Fund for top-rated startups, the establishment of an Investment Fund, reimbursement for internet and electricity charges, hosting infrastructure expenses, State GST reimbursement, exhibition/global event participation fee reimbursement, and incubation space for accelerators and startups. Additionally, there’s a FinTech Corpus Fund specifically for early-stage fintech startups led by women founders.

Manipur

Offers State-registered neighborhood hand-holding and mentoring support for rural Startups and Startups by women entrepreneurs through Facilitation Centres.

Nagaland

Plans to dedicate 25 percent of total funds for startups to women-led startups registered with the state.

Puducherry

Offers monthly allowance to startups by women entrepreneurs.

Punjab

Plans to allocate 25% of the total startup funds to support women entrepreneurs. Additionally, interest subsidies will be provided to women entrepreneurs based on meeting specific criteria.

Rajasthan

Offers women dedicated funds of INR 100 Crore out of the INR 500 crore Bhamashah Techno funds for Startups.

Tamil Nadu

Offers training and sensitization programs, support for product development and marketing/publicity/participation in fairs and exhibitions, and prioritizes allotment of industrial plots in industrial estates to women-led startups.

Telangana

Has initiated WE Hub, a unique project to boost and nurture women’s entrepreneurship. This organization assists women with business incubation, connects them with the government, and establishes links within the innovation ecosystem at no cost.

West Bengal

Offers special Neighbourhood handholding and mentoring support to rural Startups and women-led startups through MSME Facilitation Centres (MFC).

Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu

Aims to offer Specific training courses, subsidy schemes, and preference in industrial plot allotment to women entrepreneurs.

Tripura

Plans to allocate 50% of funds in Venture Capital Funds for women entrepreneurs and implement a 50% reservation for women in government market stalls and shopping complexes.

Ladakh

Offers monthly allowance to eligible startups having women founders/ co-founders