Delhi has just taken a bold step forward in its journey to become a global startup hub. For the first time ever, the capital city has rolled out a dedicated startup policy—the Delhi Startup Policy 2025—with an ambitious vision of creating 5,000 startups by 2035.

At the heart of this draft policy is a ₹200 crore Venture Capital Fund designed to empower early-stage entrepreneurs, but what makes it truly promising is the comprehensive support structure built around it.

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Key Highlights That Stand Out

• ₹200 Cr Delhi Startup VC Fund
  Equity, structured debt, and private co-investment to ensure capital isn’t a barrier.
• 100% Co-working Rental Reimbursement
  Up to ₹10 lakh/year for three years—crucial relief for early-stage founders who struggle with overheads.
• IP, Exhibition, and Operational Support
  Patent reimbursements (₹1L for domestic, ₹3L for international), exhibition cost support (₹5L for domestic, ₹10L for international), and a ₹2L/month operational allowance for a year.
• Sectoral Focus
  AI, ML, Fintech, IoT, SaaS, Green Tech, Robotics, AR/VR, Healthcare, Drones, Hospitality, and more—18 sectors identified for targeted growth.
• Support Infrastructure
  Subsidies for incubators, fab labs, and co-working spaces + creation of a Delhi Incubation Hub for virtual incubation.
• Inclusive Growth
  Special incentives for women founders and entrepreneurs from marginalized communities, with higher reimbursement ceilings.

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Governance & Structure

Unlike many state schemes that begin and end with funding, Delhi’s policy introduces a structured governance mechanism:

• Startup Task Force → Approves recognition applications.
• Monitoring Committee → Chaired by the Commissioner of Industries, ensures accountability and reviews progress.
• Department of Industries as Nodal Agency → A single-window contact for recognition, incentives, and grievance redressal.
• Digital Startup Portal & Helpdesk → To streamline processes and improve access.

This framework ensures that policy support doesn’t just remain on paper but actually translates into impact.

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Opportunity

Delhi has always been home to entrepreneurs but unlike Karnataka, Telangana, or Gujarat, it never had a dedicated policy for startups. That gap meant founders often had to depend on central government schemes or migrate to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, or Pune for ecosystem advantages.

This policy attempts to correct that. If executed well, it could:

• Strengthen Delhi’s IP and innovation footprint
• Create thousands of jobs
• Retain more founders within Delhi NCR
• Position Delhi as a serious contender alongside Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad

For early-stage startups, this means reduced risk, stronger runway, and access to capital + mentorship within the city.

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The Next Step

The draft is currently open for public feedback until September 3, 2025. This is a rare opportunity for the ecosystem founders, incubators, VCs, and industry experts to shape how Delhi nurtures its entrepreneurs over the next decade.

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Our Take

At [Your Company Name], we see this as a transformative moment for Delhi’s entrepreneurial landscape. The intent, inclusivity, and structure of this draft are strong signals that Delhi is finally ready to claim its place among India’s top startup destinations.

But policies succeed only when backed by efficient execution, transparent processes, and consistent stakeholder engagement. If those pieces come together, Delhi won’t just create 5,000 startups by 2035—it will build an ecosystem that fuels India’s next wave of innovation.