Goa Unveils New Startup Policy 2025 to Boost Innovation and Employment

The Goa government has launched an ambitious Startup Policy 2025 aimed at transforming the state into India’s “Creative Capital” by nurturing a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. The initiative targets the creation of 1,000 startups and 10,000 new jobs for Goans while extending strong support to women entrepreneurs, a state official announced.

The policy, introduced by the Department of State Information Technology, Electronics and Communication (DITEC), focuses on fostering innovation through venture funding, government-industry collaborations, and partnerships with incubators, corporates, and academic institutions. Goa, which already hosts 696 DPIIT-recognised startups, is positioning itself as an emerging hub for technology and creativity.

Vision and Key Goals

With a goal to establish Goa as a leading startup destination by 2028, the policy outlines specific targets — including enabling 100 startups to secure venture capital, promoting collaboration between 50 startups and government bodies, and strengthening connections across the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Key Schemes and Incentives

The policy introduces several initiatives to encourage innovation and skill development:

• Campus Innovation Scheme: Offers grants to students for entrepreneurial or research-based projects, reimbursing project development costs.
  
• Skill Enhancement Scheme: Provides reimbursement for professional training in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies.
  
• Infrastructure Support: Encourages collaboration with private players and educational institutions to establish IT labs, Maker Labs, Centres of Excellence, and Innovation Hubs.
  
• Women Entrepreneurship Support: Launches a dedicated mentoring and funding programme, offering monthly allowances to women-led startups working on innovative solutions.
  
• Promotion and Marketing Assistance Scheme: Offers financial aid for startups participating in government-supported exhibitions and trade shows, covering a substantial portion of related expenses.

Officials said the Goa Startup Policy 2025 aims to build a robust innovation-driven environment that inspires the next generation of leaders, innovators, and creators. “This policy will serve as a catalyst for transforming Goa into a global hub for creativity, technology, and innovation — firmly establishing the state as the Creative Capital of India,” the DITEC spokesperson added.

Source: PTI