The Assam government rolled out a ₹397-crore Startup Policy 2025 to ignite a wave of entrepreneurship across the state. The policy aims to help innovators build businesses that solve local challenges, attract investors to the region, and position Assam as the startup hub of the Northeast.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the policy after the state cabinet approved it in early November 2025. The plan focuses on funding, mentorship, incubation, and rural innovation, marking Assam’s biggest investment in entrepreneurship so far.
A Mission to Create 10,000 Startups
The government set an ambitious goal to create 10,000 startups in five years. The new policy identifies education, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, logistics, and clean energy as high-potential sectors. Officials in the Department of Industries and Commerce designed the framework to encourage founders in both cities and rural areas.
Chief Minister Sarma said during the policy launch, “We want our youth to choose entrepreneurship, not just government jobs. Assam’s creativity can lead the entire Northeast into a new era of growth.”
The government linked this vision to the ‘Atmanirbhar Assam’ initiative, which seeks to make the state self-reliant through innovation-driven enterprises.
Creating the Assam Venture Fund
At the core of the new policy lies a ₹10-crore Venture Fund, which the government will expand gradually through public-private partnerships. The fund will support early-stage startups, women founders, and entrepreneurs working on social or environmental impact.
Officials plan to disburse the first round of investments by January 2026. Startups that show proof of concept and business potential will receive direct funding, while growth-stage startups will get co-investment support with private venture capital partners.
The Industries Department will collaborate with national venture funds like SIDBI Venture Capital and North East Venture Fund to attract additional capital.
Simplifying Access to Government Support
The new policy eliminates bureaucratic hurdles. Founders can apply for funding, mentorship, and incubation directly through the Assam Startup Portal, which integrates digital verification and quick approval systems.
The portal allows entrepreneurs to:
- Register startups online within a few hours.
- Apply for grants, tax incentives, and infrastructure support.
- Connect with mentors and investors across India.
- Track application status transparently.
The government also set up a Startup Facilitation Cell at Guwahati to guide new founders through licensing, GST registration, and patent filing.
Building Innovation Hubs Beyond Guwahati
Assam’s policy envisions a network of innovation hubs that spread entrepreneurship to every major district. The government will open five new startup incubators in Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur, and Kokrajhar by 2026.
Each incubator will specialise in local industries:
- Dibrugarh: Tea-tech, food processing, and logistics.
- Jorhat: Biotechnology and agricultural innovation.
- Silchar: Digital services and creative media.
- Tezpur: Tourism and eco-friendly manufacturing.
- Kokrajhar: Rural innovation and social enterprises.
By aligning regional strengths with targeted startup programs, the government aims to make innovation a grassroots movement.
Encouraging Youth and Student Entrepreneurs
The policy places strong emphasis on young entrepreneurs. The government will introduce a Student Startup Fellowship Program that offers ₹2 lakh per project to college innovators.
The Department of Education will integrate startup training into university curriculums. Engineering and management colleges will host innovation cells to help students turn ideas into market-ready products.
The government also plans to conduct an Annual Assam Startup Challenge where young innovators compete for seed grants, incubation slots, and mentorship.
Boosting Rural and Women Entrepreneurship
The new policy recognises the role of women and rural entrepreneurs in sustainable development. It reserves 25% of all startup funding for women-led ventures and another 20% for rural enterprises.
To support rural innovators, the government will collaborate with self-help groups (SHGs) and local cooperatives. These collaborations will help small entrepreneurs develop scalable business models in sectors like handicrafts, organic farming, food processing, and renewable energy.
The policy also introduces the ‘Women Innovators of Assam’ initiative, which will train women entrepreneurs in business planning, digital marketing, and financial management.
Strengthening Collaboration Between Academia and Industry
The policy creates a structured bridge between universities and industries. Assam’s government will launch a University-Industry Collaboration Program that brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors under one umbrella.
Through this program, the government will:
- Fund research projects that show commercial potential.
- Organise innovation expos for student startups.
- Encourage corporates to invest in university spin-offs.
Institutes like IIT Guwahati, Tezpur University, and Assam Agricultural University already expressed interest in joining the program.
Chief Minister Sarma emphasised that innovation should not remain confined to labs: “We will convert academic research into real businesses that create jobs and revenue.”
Leveraging Assam’s Natural Strengths
Assam holds unique strengths — abundant natural resources, vibrant tourism, and strong agricultural roots. The startup policy leverages these advantages.
For example, the agritech sector receives priority funding. Startups that use technology to improve tea cultivation, rice farming, or fishery management can receive grants up to ₹15 lakh. The government will connect these startups with farmer cooperatives to ensure real-world adoption.
In tourism, the state aims to develop digital platforms for eco-tourism, heritage experiences, and homestay bookings. Startups in this space will receive marketing support from Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC).
In clean energy, the government will back solar, biogas, and waste-to-energy startups that align with Assam’s green transition plan.
Infrastructure and Ease of Doing Business
The government plans to improve startup infrastructure by building plug-and-play workspaces in Guwahati and Dibrugarh. These spaces will include co-working zones, labs, testing facilities, and high-speed internet connectivity.
Officials also promise a faster business setup process. Startups can now register in one day through the new portal, a process that earlier took weeks.
In addition, the policy includes tax incentives:
- 100% reimbursement of stamp duty and registration charges.
- 75% subsidy on patent filing fees.
- Power tariff subsidies for manufacturing startups.
These reforms aim to reduce operational costs and attract more founders to base their companies in Assam.
Global Partnerships and Exposure
The policy opens new doors for international collaboration. Assam plans to sign MoUs with foreign accelerators and investment networks to bring expertise and capital into the region.
The Assam Global Startup Exchange program will allow selected startups to attend global demo days and investor summits in Singapore, Japan, and Germany.
The government also invited diaspora entrepreneurs from the Assamese community abroad to mentor and invest in local startups.
Measuring Impact and Ensuring Transparency
To ensure accountability, the government will track progress through a Startup Policy Dashboard. The dashboard will publish data on:
- Number of startups registered.
- Funds disbursed.
- Jobs created.
- Regional impact.
The Industries Department will review performance every six months and adjust funding priorities as needed.
Assam’s Roadmap to Become a Northeast Startup Leader
Through this ₹397-crore policy, Assam positions itself as the startup capital of the Northeast. The government expects to generate over 50,000 direct jobs and attract ₹2,000 crore in private investment by 2030.
More importantly, the policy creates a culture where young people see entrepreneurship as a first choice, not a fallback. It encourages creativity, empowers local innovators, and connects the state’s economy with global networks.
Chief Minister Sarma concluded his policy announcement with confidence: “Assam doesn’t want to follow others anymore. We will lead the Northeast in innovation and enterprise.”
Conclusion
Assam’s 2025 Startup Policy brings structure, vision, and inclusivity to the region’s entrepreneurial landscape. It doesn’t rely on external investors alone; it builds local strength, funds local ideas, and empowers rural communities.
By combining direct funding, mentorship, education, and global exposure, the policy creates fertile ground for innovation. Every part of the ₹397-crore plan fuels a single mission — make Assam the next great startup frontier of India.
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