The Maharashtra government plans to shortlist 5 lakh candidates from a large pool of technically educated youth through AI-based evaluations, competitive exams, hackathons, and other assessments. From these, 1 lakh candidates will be selected, and eventually, 25,000 individuals will receive comprehensive support—including technical guidance, financial aid, and training—with the goal of nurturing them into successful entrepreneurs and startup founders. This initiative is part of the Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Policy 2025, aiming to boost youth entrepreneurship, especially among those with technical education backgrounds.
Currently, Maharashtra has approximately 30 lakh technically educated youth, all of whom will be contacted via email and assessed through AI-driven evaluation tools. The government’s structured multi-stage selection process ensures that the most promising candidates are chosen to benefit from the scheme’s offerings.
Starting September 15th, the state will introduce 20 new short-term courses in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) focused on personality development and supplementary skills. This addition complements the broader policy framework that has been approved and will soon be implemented by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS). The policy envisions Maharashtra as India’s leading startup hub, aiming to create 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs and formally recognize 50,000 startups within five years. It also prioritizes empowering urban and rural youth, women entrepreneurs, emerging technology sectors, and marginalized communities.
A critical aspect of the scheme is financial assistance, providing loans between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh in partnership with financial institutions. To support these efforts, a Rs 500 crore corpus fund will be established over five years. Selected startups during Maharashtra Startup Week will have opportunities to collaborate directly with government departments and receive pilot project orders valued up to Rs 25 lakh. Additionally, every state department will allocate 0.5% of its annual budget toward fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. All these initiatives will be managed by MSInS, the apex body for innovation and entrepreneurship in the state.
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