Chandigarh, January 21 — Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said that young innovators and startups are giving a new direction to the state’s economy, as he interacted with startup founders and entrepreneurs during a pre-budget consultation programme held in Manesar.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that National Startup Day was observed on January 16 and the ongoing pre-budget dialogue was an extension of that spirit. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, he said that “Startup India” is not merely a government scheme but a “rainbow vision” that connects multiple sectors with new opportunities.
He described startups as ideas that need nurturing to take shape, comparing them to small seeds that can grow into large trees when provided with the right support. The event was attended by Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh, Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Gaurav Gautam, and Gurugram MLA Mukesh Sharma.
The Chief Minister said the government is working at a fast pace with the resolve to make India a developed nation by 2047. He highlighted rapid progress in infrastructure, transport and other development sectors, stating that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India has witnessed historic changes across all domains.
Welcoming suggestions from startup founders, Saini said issues related to ease of doing business, funding and technical support have been carefully noted. He remarked that even a small idea has the potential to change the world if it carries strength and innovation.
He pointed out that the number of startups in the country has risen from around 500 to over two lakh in the last decade, with Haryana playing a leading role, particularly in Gurugram and Manesar. The state now has more than 9,500 startups, ranks seventh nationally, and has produced 19 unicorns.
Highlighting key initiatives proposed in the 2025–26 budget, the Chief Minister said the future belongs to artificial intelligence. He announced the proposed Haryana AI Mission, for which the World Bank has assured assistance of Rs 474 crore. Under the mission, AI hubs will be set up in Gurugram and Panchkula, and 50,000 youth will be trained in emerging technologies.
To promote research in colleges and universities, he said the Haryana State Research Fund has been established with an initial corpus of Rs 20 crore. In addition, a Rs 2,000 crore Fund of Funds has been created to support startups.
The Chief Minister said startups are being encouraged through financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh per startup via HSIIDC, along with the Mukhyamantri Kaushal Samman Yojana. Haryana’s Startup Policy 2022 is already in force, and recently 22 startups were provided financial assistance amounting to Rs 1.14 crore.
He asserted that startup culture will no longer remain limited to major cities. From the upcoming academic session, entrepreneurship competitions will be organised in every district, with selected teams receiving Rs 1 lakh each to convert their ideas into business models.
Given Manesar’s status as an industrial hub, incubation centres will be established in all HSIIDC industrial estates to provide startups with affordable workspaces. Land has already been identified for this purpose in three IMT areas.
Quoting the Prime Minister, Saini said risk-taking has now become mainstream, adding that in today’s era, not taking risks is the biggest risk. He expressed pride that more than 50 per cent of startups in Haryana have at least one woman director, reiterating the government’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs.
He said startups and young innovators working across sectors, from space to defence, represent the identity of a new India, with Haryana’s youth making their presence felt nationwide.
The Chief Minister urged stakeholders to submit their suggestions through a chatbot within the next 8 to 10 days and to listen to the presentation of the Budget 2026–27 in the Assembly. He added that those whose suggestions are incorporated will receive special invitations to witness the Assembly proceedings.
Senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary for Higher Education Vineet Garg, Additional Chief Secretary G. Anupama, Principal Secretary Rajiv Ranjan, Commissioner and Secretary for Industries and Commerce Dr Amit Kumar Agarwal, Director General Yash Garg and OSD to the Chief Minister Dr Raj Nehru, were also present at the event.
