New Delhi: Govt Sunday put the Delhi Startup & Incubation Policy, 2026, on the table, seeking suggestions from founders and investors to help strengthen the idea before its launch.Delhi govt laid out some directions, such as founders and company builders should make up at least 85% of the panels selecting incubators and startups, while all relevant agencies should be brought under a single-window system to streamline approvals.It also stressed that policy commitments must translate into measurable outcomes, backed by clear timelines and accountability.The roundtable was chaired by chief minister Rekha Gupta alongside education minister Ashish Sood. Leading voices from the startup ecosystem shared their recommendations.The industry, meanwhile, pushed for easier access to capital, faster clearances, startup-friendly workspaces and a govt role as the first customer for emerging companies. It also called for AI-ready public infrastructure, dedicated funding for women founders, stronger university-industry linkages and targeted support for high-potential sectors.The suggestions will now be consolidated and incorporated into the final policy.At the centre of the policy is a proposed investment of Rs 4,07.5 crore over five years, along with support through 32 state-funded incubation centres.Govt also plans to expand entrepreneurship programmes in schools and bring more professors into the ecosystem.“Delhi govt will work with founders, investors, industry, educational institutions and the youth to make policymaking more participatory and outcome-driven. Stakeholder inputs will help shape policy implementation, with the startup ecosystem positioned to drive innovation, jobs, investment and economic growth,” Gupta said.A key demand from the consultation was for a single-window system through which startups and incubators can deal with different govt agencies instead of navigating multiple departments. Faster implementation and clear timelines were also emphasised.“The aim is to support and encourage more than 10,000 startups during its tenure and create employment opportunities for more than 4 lakh youths. The detailed deliberations with leading startup founders and entrepreneurs were aimed at ensuring that this objective is achieved and the policy delivers tangible outcomes,” Sood said.Another major proposal is a Fund of Funds, using govt capital to attract greater private investment into startups. The approach is to use public funding and infrastructure to multiply, rather than replace, private capital. Govt also wants to become an early customer for innovative startups.The policy is likely to focus on AI, fintech, agri-tech, defence and aerospace, deep tech, govtech, legal technology, edtech and medtech. Ring-fenced funding for women founders has also been proposed.Building a stronger talent pipeline is another focus, through technology-sector mapping, industry mentorship and internships, advisory cells in educational institutions and greater flexibility for student founders to pursue startups alongside their studies.Participants also proposed a permanent regulatory help desk to quickly resolve govt and compliance-related issues.The consultation suggestions will now be consolidated and incorporated into Delhi Startup and Incubation Policy, 2026, with further work planned on implementation, evaluation and industry participation.
