India’s rise as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with over 158,000 registered ventures, is a testament to the country’s entrepreneurial spirit and its robust policy framework. While initiatives like Startup India, driven by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), have played a pivotal role, it is the collaboration between government and industry that encourages startups to flourish. Western India—comprising Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa—exemplifies this synergy, offering a fertile ground for innovation, investment, and job creation. This success is not just a result of the innovation of entrepreneurs, but of a thriving ecosystem where state policies, national initiatives, and industry collaboration have come together. With its unique blend of sectoral strengths, progressive policies, and collaborative efforts between the government, industry, and organisations like the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), this region is setting a global standard for entrepreneurship. This is the power of a startup region transforming ambition into achievement.
Goa: A creative startup haven: Goa’s transformation from a tourist hub to an emerging startup destination is nothing short of remarkable. Entrepreneurs are drawn to its blend of affordability, creative inspiration, and supportive policies. CII has partnered with the Goa government to shape the Startup Goa Policy 2021, ensuring it reflects industry needs and global trends. The Goa Govt offers seed funding of up to Rs 50 lakh, R&D subsidies, and co-working space reimbursements to attract innovative entrepreneurs
Maharashtra: The innovation epicentre: Maharashtra leads the charge in Western India’s startup ecosystem. Mumbai’s status as India’s financial capital and Pune’s emergence as a tech hub offer startups access to funding, talent, and infrastructure. The state’s robust infrastructure, access to venture capital, and proactive policies make it a magnet for startups in fintech, healthcare, and media. Programmes like Mumbai Fintech Hub, have connected over 150 startups with investors and established financial institutions. The Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS) works closely with industry to fund and incubate startups, with over 800 ventures benefiting so far.
Gujarat: Entrepreneurship at its core: Gujarat has long been synonymous with entrepreneurship, and now it’s extending that legacy into sectors like renewable energy, agritech, and smart manufacturing. The state benefits from its investor-friendly environment, proactive industrial policies, and a culture of innovation nurtured by partnerships between government and industry. Events like Vibrant Gujarat, organised with CII as a National Partner, have facilitated funding for over 500 startups. Apart from this, CII’s partnerships with academic institutions are helping startups hire workforce trained in cutting-edge technologies like AI and blockchain.
Madhya Pradesh: The rural
visionary: Madhya Pradesh is carving its niche as a startup-friendly state, particularly in agritech and rural innovation, with over 1,000 startups registered in the past five years. Its affordable cost structure and focus on rural innovation make it a unique proposition in India’s startup landscape. The MP Startup Policy 2022 reflects a commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in even the remotest corners of the state. Through rural incubators, skill development centres and many other initiatives including partnerships between government, academia and industry, MP is a shining example of how collaboration fuels scalable innovation.
What sets Western India apart is the collaborative ecosystem championed by industry, DPIIT, and state governments. While the state and central governments provide a framework and policy incentives to startups, CII is working to bridge the gap between industry and startups. It provides mentorship, opportunities to pilot, supply chain connect and customer connects to startups by matching them with established industry leaders. It mobilises industry champions to co-invest in infrastructure, innovation hubs, and R&D programmes. It is also working to provide startups with Global Market Access through various investor summits and platforms across the region. A key area of effort is also in skill development — CII collaborates with startups and industries to upskill talent, ensuring a workforce aligned with future technologies. One of CII’s strongest contributions has been through policy advocacy. By advising governments on startup needs, CII makes every effort to ensure that policies are actionable, inclusive, and forward-thinking.
While Western India is a thriving hub, challenges remain. Infrastructure gaps, access to global markets, and talent shortages still hinder startups in some regions. This is where CII’s role as a facilitator becomes critical—ensuring these hurdles are addressed through collaborative solutions like incubators, international exposure programs, and digital infrastructure development.
Western India is more than just a collection of states—it’s a blueprint for India’s startup success. Entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers have an unprecedented opportunity to harness its potential. It is crucial for entrepreneurs to leverage the region’s unique resources, policies, and networks to scale your vision. Industry Leaders must partner with startups to co-create innovative solutions and drive inclusive growth. Policymakers must continue fostering collaboration with industry bodies like CII and the private sector to sustain this momentum.
(The writer is chairperson CII Western Region and Director, Vimson Group)
