The Goa government has unveiled its ambitious Goa Startup Policy 2025, a transformative initiative aimed at establishing 1,000 startups, generating 10,000 jobs for Goans, and empowering women entrepreneurs. Announced by the Department of State Information Technology, Electronics and Communication (DITEC), the policy is designed to turn Goa into India’s creative capital and a thriving hub for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Goa Startup Policy 2025: A Vision for Innovation and Growth
Launched last week, the Goa Startup Policy 2025 sets a bold vision of positioning Goa as a premier startup destination by 2028. The policy aims to create a dynamic ecosystem that connects entrepreneurs with venture capital, government support, and industry partnerships. It also focuses on building strong collaborations between academia, corporates, incubators, and investors to nurture the next generation of innovators.
A DITEC spokesperson highlighted that Goa is rapidly emerging as a technological and creative hub, currently home to 696 DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade)-recognised startups. The new policy builds on this momentum, offering structured support for startup growth, funding, and global visibility.
Key Objectives of Goa Startup Policy 2025
The Goa Startup Policy 2025 sets out measurable and result-oriented targets:
- Establish 1,000 startups in Goa by 2028.
- Create 10,000 employment opportunities for Goans in startup ventures.
- Facilitate venture funding access for at least 100 startups.
- Encourage government collaboration with 50 startups for innovative projects.
- Promote partnerships between incubators, corporates, and educational institutions to boost research and development.
Empowering Students and Innovators
The new policy introduces a Campus Innovation Scheme, offering grants and reimbursements to students engaged in entrepreneurial or research-based projects. This initiative aims to promote innovation at the academic level, encouraging young minds to take their ideas from concept to prototype.
To further enhance employability, the policy includes a Skill Enhancement Scheme, reimbursing costs for professional courses in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and other emerging technologies. These initiatives will help bridge the skill gap and make Goa’s youth industry-ready.
Women Entrepreneurship and Mentorship Support
In a significant step towards gender-inclusive entrepreneurship, the Goa Startup Policy 2025 introduces a mentoring and funding programme dedicated to women-led startups. Women entrepreneurs working on innovative projects will receive monthly allowances and access to expert mentorship to help them scale their businesses.
The policy also offers Promotion and Marketing Assistance, supporting startups that participate in government-approved exhibitions and trade shows by reimbursing a major portion of their expenses. This initiative aims to increase brand visibility and market access for local startups on national and international platforms.
Infrastructure and Ecosystem Development
Under the new policy, the Goa government will collaborate with private entities and educational institutions to set up IT labs, Maker Labs, Centres of Excellence, and Innovation Centres across the state. These facilities will serve as incubators for product development, technological research, and creative collaboration.
Building the Creative Capital of India
The Goa government envisions the Startup Policy 2025 as a game-changer in transforming the state’s economic and innovation landscape. By creating a strong ecosystem of funding, mentorship, and infrastructure, the policy aims to make Goa a global hub for creativity, technology, and innovation.
“This policy will play a pivotal role in making Goa the Creative Capital of India, fostering innovation, employment, and sustainable growth,” said a DITEC spokesperson.
