Uttar Pradesh took a decisive step toward transforming itself into a global startup powerhouse. During Startup Mahakumbh, one of India’s largest innovation gatherings, The Circle: Founders Club (The Circle FC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Start-in UP, the flagship startup initiative of the Uttar Pradesh government. This agreement promises to accelerate the growth of the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and open doors for local founders to global markets.
Senior officials from both sides formalized the partnership in the presence of Anurag Yadav, Principal Secretary, Department of IT and Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The leaders acknowledged the MoU as more than a ceremonial agreement—it represents a long-term commitment to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and positioning Uttar Pradesh as a globally competitive startup hub.
A Unified Vision for Startup Excellence
Ravi Ranjan, IAS and Managing Director of the Uttar Pradesh Electronics Corporation (UPECL), set the tone for the initiative. He explained how the state aims to create a world-class startup ecosystem that goes beyond domestic success. “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our efforts to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh,” he said. “Partnering with The Circle Founders Club will equip startups with the tools and exposure needed to thrive beyond borders.”
Through this partnership, the state plans to integrate global best practices into its startup frameworks. The leaders will focus on building scale-ready ventures that can attract international capital, join cross-border accelerator programs, and solve global problems through local innovation.
The Circle FC Brings Global Acceleration to the Heart of India
The Circle Founders Club has already built a reputation as a catalyst for growth-stage startups. Headquartered in India, the organization connects founders with global investors, domain experts, and startup veterans. Under the leadership of Nemesisa Ujjain, Vice President and Head of The Circle FC, the Club has driven dozens of high-impact acceleration programs.
At the Startup Mahakumbh, Nemesisa reinforced the mission of The Circle FC. “Uttar Pradesh is rapidly emerging as a deeptech innovation hub,” she said. “Through our global acceleration programs and the strong support of the state government, we aim to fast-track the global journey for local founders.”
The Circle FC will anchor its efforts in Uttar Pradesh by rolling out structured acceleration modules, hands-on mentorship sessions, international demo days, and investor outreach programs. Founders from across the state will gain access to a curated pool of mentors, technologists, and business leaders who can guide them through product development, market entry, and scale.
Enabling International Access for Local Innovators
The MoU lays out a clear framework for transforming local ideas into global ventures. Under this collaboration, The Circle FC and Start-in UP will jointly:
- Identify high-potential startups from across the state
- Provide structured acceleration and investor-readiness training
- Facilitate global investor and corporate connections
- Enable international immersion through curated exposure programs
- Foster strategic partnerships with foreign innovation hubs
Startups will receive personalized roadmaps for their growth journeys. The Circle FC will match founders with domain-specific mentors, assist them in refining their business models, and guide them through international expansion strategies.
Start-in UP will act as the policy enabler, infrastructure provider, and institutional backbone. The state government will provide incubator access, subsidies, and regulatory clearances—helping founders focus on building and scaling their ventures without bureaucratic hurdles.
A Global-Local Collaboration Model
This initiative follows a global-local (glocal) model, where international knowledge systems merge with local innovation strength. Uttar Pradesh already boasts a fast-growing base of startup founders in sectors like agritech, edtech, healthtech, and deeptech. The Circle FC will enhance this momentum by introducing best practices from Silicon Valley, Israel, Southeast Asia, and other innovation hotbeds.
Unlike traditional acceleration models that function in isolation, this partnership integrates state policy with global business strategy. Startups in Uttar Pradesh will now get access to international exposure—without relocating or losing their local identity. The initiative empowers them to build for the world, from within India’s heartland.
Fueling Uttar Pradesh’s Startup Revolution
Over the past few years, Uttar Pradesh has steadily climbed the ladder as one of India’s most promising startup states. With over 8,000 registered startups and a network of incubators spread across key cities like Lucknow, Noida, Kanpur, and Varanasi, the state has built a fertile ground for entrepreneurship. Now, with the support of The Circle FC, the ecosystem stands ready to transition from quantity to quality.
The government’s commitment remains clear. Principal Secretary Anurag Yadav emphasized the importance of global partnerships in building a competitive innovation landscape. He explained that the state does not intend to limit its vision to regional leadership. Instead, it wants to launch Uttar Pradesh as a leader in India’s ambition to become a global startup nation.
The MoU with The Circle FC provides just the right mechanism to realize that ambition.
What Founders Can Expect
Founders from across Uttar Pradesh will now have access to a host of high-impact opportunities:
- Acceleration Bootcamps: Startups will join time-bound bootcamps focused on product-market fit, go-to-market strategies, and investor pitching.
- Global Investor Access: The Circle FC will organize demo days, investor roundtables, and capital matchmaking opportunities with international VCs and angels.
- Mentorship by Global Experts: Founders will receive tailored advice from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders who have built and scaled companies internationally.
- International Market Immersion: High-potential startups will participate in global immersion programs in innovation hubs like Singapore, Dubai, London, and Tel Aviv.
- Policy Support: Start-in UP will ensure seamless access to incentives, grants, and incubation infrastructure offered by the state.
This structured, collaborative support will remove the most common barriers faced by early and growth-stage startups—giving them the confidence and capability to tackle global markets.
Cementing a Legacy of Innovation
This partnership represents more than a one-off collaboration. It lays the foundation for a long-term institutional framework to support entrepreneurship in India’s most populous state. By embedding global acceleration inside the state’s startup machinery, Uttar Pradesh sets a precedent for other Indian states to follow.
Startups no longer need to migrate to Bengaluru, Mumbai, or Delhi to find success. With initiatives like this, local founders can grow global ambitions without leaving their roots. They can innovate for the world while creating impact within their communities.
This initiative also aligns with India’s national startup vision—boosting job creation, technological innovation, and economic self-reliance. Uttar Pradesh’s move contributes to this larger mission while carving its unique identity in the startup map of India.
Looking Ahead
As this partnership gains traction, stakeholders will measure its success by the number of startups it scales, the capital it attracts, and the innovations it brings to life. Both The Circle FC and Start-in UP have laid out a robust execution plan, with timelines and milestones in place.
Uttar Pradesh has sent a clear message: the state intends to lead India’s startup future, not just follow it. And with partners like The Circle FC, the dream looks within reach.