Himachal wins ‘Best Performer’ award in States’ Startup Ranking
Himachal Pradesh has been acknowledged as the ‘Best Performer’ in the States’ Startup Ranking 2022 among the states with populations less than 1 crore.
With 144 Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade-certified startups operating across diverse sectors, including agritech, tourism and Information Technology, the state is carving out its niche in India’s broader startup revolution. These ventures are not only driving job creation but also transforming local economies through innovation, sustainability and competition.
Industry, Labour and Employment Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said, “The state has emerged as a rising startup hub due to its proactive policies and initiatives tailored to foster entrepreneurship.”
The state’s startup policy provides a comprehensive framework to support such ventures at various stages. It emphasises financial assistance, offering up to Rs 25 lakh as seed funding, along with subsidised incubation spaces and grants for research and development. The policy promotes the ease of doing business by simplifying registration processes and providing tax exemptions for startups.
The state has topped nationally in the Centre-sponsored Pradhan Mantri formalisation of micro food processing enterprises, where it provided Rs 64.56 crore to 972 cases under the credit-linked subsidy and Rs 50.31 crore to 13,427 women self-help groups (SHGs) under the seed capital component.
“This is no mean achievement as despite being a small state with limited means, the state has achieved this feat with its added emphasis on empowering rural women through SHGs. This is considered vital for enhancing the economic independence of rural women by providing them with the necessary skills, financial support and collective strength to run small businesses,” said CII state president Navesh Narula.
“The SHGs have opted for the agrifood sector, wherein the production of value-added products like organic jams, pickles and juices, made from locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs, have helped women address the growing demand for organic food products,” said Chauhan.
