Gurgaon: Haryana has expanded its startup policy with a major push for market access, private investment, and women-led entrepreneurship. The state will reserve 10% of annual departmental procurement for eligible Haryana-based startups and offer corporates a matching grant of up to Rs 10 lakh for pilot projects that are converted into contracts.Under the seed fund matching provision, govt will provide early-stage startups with co-investment or matching grants of up to Rs 25 lakh for every Rs 25 lakh raised from private or angel investors.Women-led startups will be eligible for a 50% lease rental subsidy for one year, subject to a maximum of Rs 10 lakh, and 100% net SGST reimbursement for seven years. They will also receive 100% reimbursement of net SGST for seven years, subject to a ceiling of 100% of fixed capital investment (FCI).For general startups, 50% reimbursement of net SGST will continue for seven years. The expanded policy also provides assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh for technology licensing and technology transfer to startups.Women-led startups working in areas including handicrafts and traditional textiles, environment-friendly rural products, Ayurveda-based health and wellness products, and indigenous food products will be encouraged through thematic micro-grants ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.Haryana govt also approved a comprehensive supplement to the existing Haryana State Startup Policy 2022, aimed at strengthening the state’s startup ecosystem, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, increasing women’s participation in startups, and providing enhanced financial and institutional support to entrepreneurs at different stages.The supplement has been formulated in view of announcements made under Sankalp Patra, Budget Speech for FY 2025-26, directions of industries and commerce minister, and announcements made by chief minister Nayab Singh Saini at state-level programmes and interactions with startups and industry leaders. The objective is to widen participation under the policy and provide more effective support to startups at different stages.Govt will provide financial assistance for participation in domestic events and exhibitions. “General startups will be eligible for assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh per year, while women-led startups can receive up to Rs 7 lakh per year towards participation costs,” said an officer.Govt has also introduced incentives for startups to adopt quality standards and obtain certifications. Startups will be eligible for a one-time reimbursement of 50% of the cost incurred for obtaining quality certification, subject to a maximum of Rs 25 lakh.The policy supplement also seeks to take entrepreneurship promotion to the school level. As part of this, 10,000 ‘do-it-yourself’ (DIY) kits will be distributed among students.Haryana will also establish a world-class incubator, H-HUB, in collaboration with startups, corporates, and educational institutions in the state. The incubator will provide startups with modern facilities and the support required to scale their ventures.Students pursuing various courses in state universities and polytechnic institutions will be encouraged to undertake apprenticeships with startups. Eligible startups will receive reimbursement of 50% of the stipend cost, up to Rs 7,500 per apprentice per month, subject to a maximum of 50 apprentices per year per unit.Govt has also expanded reimbursement support for cloud computing and data storage, keeping in view the growing requirement for such services. Haryana-based startups will now be eligible for 75% reimbursement of cloud computing/storage expenditure incurred at any data centre located in India, up to Rs 2.5 lakh per year for five years.In another significant change, startups having their registered office in Chandigarh will also be treated as category-2 startups, making them eligible for benefits available under Haryana Startup Policy.
