The year 2025 was historic for the startup ecosystem of Uttar Pradesh, with the number of startups in the state reaching 18,568.:

News Topical, Digital Desk : The year 2025 is shaping up to be a historic year for Uttar Pradesh's startup ecosystem. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state has made significant strides in innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation, making it the third-largest startup ecosystem in the country.

In the past year, nearly 5,000 new startups have launched in the state, bringing the total number of startups in the state to over 21,000. More than 9,000 of these startups are run by women, promoting gender diversity in entrepreneurship. The state government led by Yogi Adityanath is deeply committed and sensitive to women's entrepreneurship and their self-reliance.

What do government statistics say about startups?

According to government data, the number of startups registered with the Department of Industrial Promotion and Internal Trade (DPEIT) in Uttar Pradesh increased from approximately 16,000 as of December 2024 to 21,559 as of December 2025. Of these, 18,568 startups have been recognized by Startup India, and 2,991 have been registered with Start in UP. IIT Kanpur's Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) has 521 startups.

This growth isn't limited to numbers; the state has also established a strong presence in terms of quality, investment, and job creation. Policy-driven governance, ease of doing business, and digital processes have allowed startups to grow rapidly. The Yogi government's clear policies, robust infrastructure, and youth-centric approach have made the state a trusted destination for investors and entrepreneurs.

Startup activities are active in all 75 districts of the state.

A major achievement of the Yogi government has been that the startup ecosystem has not been limited to just major cities. Startup activities have become active in all 75 districts of the state. Previously, startups were concentrated only in major cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, and Kanpur, but now they are rapidly expanding in smaller cities as well.

Now, along with urban centers, startups in agritech, food processing, handloom, dairy, and local service-based startups have emerged in Bundelkhand, Purvanchal, and the Terai regions. This has directly benefited both the urban and rural economies and created new employment opportunities locally.

Confidence in women to come forward for self-employment

The Chief Minister's Youth Entrepreneur Development Campaign, Women Startup Promotion Schemes, and easy financial assistance have given women the confidence to pursue self-employment. Through startups, women are not only becoming economically empowered but also assuming leadership roles in society.

To provide a strong foundation for startups, 76 incubators and 7 Centers of Excellence are active in the state. These institutions provide mentorship, technical assistance, research support, and connect startups with investors. Specialized Centers of Excellence have been established in sectors such as IT, electronics, healthtech, agritech, and green energy, providing institutional support for innovation.