The Delhi government has approved the establishment of the Go-Delhi Foundation with an initial budget outlay of ₹500 million to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship. The decision was made in a recent cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The foundation will support young people, researchers, and entrepreneurs in converting ideas into practical products and successful enterprises.
Structure and Mandate
The Go-Delhi Foundation will be registered as a not-for-profit company under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, and will function under the Department of Industries. It will use a hub-and-spoke model, delivering programs through existing facilities and partner institutions across the national capital. The structure is intended to reduce dependence on scattered facilities and create a clear pathway from ideas to products.
Support for Startups and MSMEs
The initiative will help startups and micro, small and medium enterprises access product engineering, prototyping, laboratories, and testing facilities. It will also provide technical guidance, mentorship, incubation, business support, and opportunities to connect with investors. These services will support entrepreneurs at different stages, from product development and testing to certification preparation and market access.
Resource Access and Commercial Pathways
The foundation aims to bring useful technologies developed at research institutions out of laboratories and into practical use and commercial expansion. It will support entrepreneurs during product development, testing, certification preparation, and market access. This approach is expected to reduce dependence on scattered facilities for different needs and expand the reach of innovation facilities across Delhi.
Government Partnerships and Pilot Projects
Government departments will be able to bring real-world challenges to Delhi's innovators through the foundation. Products and technologies developed for these challenges can be tested through pilot projects, with successful solutions taken forward for adoption. This arrangement is expected to give departments an opportunity to access new technologies and practical solutions while allowing startups to demonstrate the usefulness of their products.
Collaboration and Ecosystem Integration
The foundation will work with industry, educational institutions, investors, and other partners to strengthen collaboration. Delhi is home to nearly 21,000 startups recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. The government intends to bring these resources together on a common platform, focusing on new enterprises, investment attraction, and employment creation.
Recent Policy Context
The approval follows the Delhi government's earlier decision in July to approve the Delhi Startup and Incubation Policy. That policy cleared a ₹4 billion plan to establish incubation centers across state-run higher education institutions and provide financial support to startups over five years. The first phase included centers in 11 state universities, 13 government-aided colleges, polytechnic institutions, Industrial Training Institutes, and government schools.
Leadership Perspective
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described the foundation as an important step toward bringing together Delhi's existing entrepreneurial capabilities, educational institutions, and research facilities. She said the initiative would help young people, researchers, and entrepreneurs turn ideas into practical products and successful businesses. Gupta added that the foundation would help reduce reliance on scattered facilities and make it easier to establish and grow enterprises in Delhi.
The Go-Delhi Foundation represents a structured effort to strengthen Delhi's innovation ecosystem by connecting startups, MSMEs, researchers, and government departments. By integrating mentorship, infrastructure, and investment access, the initiative aims to convert early-stage ideas into market-ready products. The government expects the foundation to accelerate enterprise creation, attract investment, and generate new employment opportunities across the capital.