Maharashtra Cabinet approves Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025
The Maharashtra Cabinet on 5 August 2025 approved the Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025, which aims to support 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs and 50,000 startups over five years.
Summary
The Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025 was approved by the state Cabinet on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, as a five-year strategy to support 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs and recognise 50,000 startups. Under the Chief Minister's ₹500 crore Maha-Fund, 25,000 early-stage entrepreneurs will be selected for support from a pool of 5 lakh youth through a three-stage process, with loans of ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh at a 3% subsidised interest rate. The policy proposes a 300-acre Maharashtra Innovation City in Navi Mumbai and makes it mandatory for each state department to reserve 0.5% of its annual funds for innovation and entrepreneurship. Maharashtra had 29,146 startups by 31 May, about 18% of the country's total, and the schemes will be implemented through the Maharashtra State Innovation Society.
Key facts
- Approved
- 5 Aug 2025, Maharashtra Cabinet
- Targets (5 years)
- 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs; 50,000 startups
- Maha-Fund
- ₹500 crore; 25,000 entrepreneurs from 5 lakh youth
- Loans
- ₹5–10 lakh at 3% subsidised interest
- Innovation City
- 300 acres, Navi Mumbai
- Departments
- Reserve 0.5% of annual funds for innovation
- Base
- 29,146 startups by 31 May (18% of India)
- Implementing agency
- Maharashtra State Innovation Society
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025 aims to recognise how many startups over five years?
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Correct answer: B — 50,000
The policy aims to support 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs and recognise 50,000 startups over five years.
Under Maharashtra's Startup Policy 2025, a 300-acre 'Maharashtra Innovation City' is proposed at which location?
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Correct answer: C — Navi Mumbai
The policy provides for a new 300-acre Maharashtra Innovation City in Navi Mumbai.
Consider the following statements about the Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025: 1. The Chief Minister's ₹500 crore Maha-Fund will support 25,000 early-stage entrepreneurs selected from a pool of 5 lakh youth. 2. Each state department must reserve 5% of its annual funds for innovation and entrepreneurship. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: the ₹500 crore Maha-Fund will assist 25,000 early-stage entrepreneurs chosen from 5 lakh youth through a three-stage process. Statement 2 is incorrect: departments must reserve 0.5% of their annual funds.