The Delhi government convened a high-level roundtable on Sunday to gather feedback from leading startup founders, investors, and industry representatives on its Startup and Incubation Policy, 2026. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta led the discussions in New Delhi, where participants shared perspectives on implementation, financial support, and the regulatory environment needed for entrepreneurial growth. The proposed framework targets support for more than 10,000 startups and the creation of over four lakh jobs, to make policy design participatory and outcome-oriented.
Policy Goals and Financial Commitment
Under the Delhi Startup and Incubation Policy, 2026, the government has proposed an outlay of over Rs 400 crore to strengthen the startup ecosystem. Education Minister Ashish Sood said the funding will support incubation infrastructure, mentorship programmes, direct incentives for local entrepreneurs, and other enabling measures across the capital. The government also intends to establish incubation centres in Delhi University colleges and schools, connecting young innovators with institutional resources, practical guidance, and opportunities to develop their ideas.
Industry Consultation and Participation
The roundtable was organised by the Department of Training and Technical Education in collaboration with Youth for Governance at an event in New Delhi. Prominent participants included Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Snapdeal co-founder and Titan Capital founder Kunal Bahl, Swiggy CEO Rohit Kapoor, and Urban Company co-founder Abhiraj Singh Bhal. Representatives from CARS24, CashKaro, Zypp Electric, Statiq, AstroTalk, InsuranceDekho, Newton School of Technology, and other startups also contributed to the discussions.
Strategic Suggestions from Startup Leaders
Industry leaders suggested that Delhi should position itself as the country's deregulation capital by removing or easing government controls and legal restrictions on business activity. They recommended increasing land and workspace availability for startups while rationalising floor area ratio and circle rates to lower operational barriers. Participants also highlighted Delhi's strong metro connectivity, proximity to central government institutions, research bodies, and a vast consumer market as competitive advantages for early-stage companies.
Fund Structure and Implementation Focus
Discussions included a proposal to structure the proposed outlay of Rs 407.5 crore as a Fund of Funds to attract private capital into the startup ecosystem. This structure would allow public investment to catalyse additional private funding for early-stage ventures and reduce dependence on direct grants alone. The government reiterated its intention to work with founders, investors, educational institutions, and young people to make policy implementation more participatory and outcome-oriented.
Employment and Economic Ambitions
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said Delhi has the talented youth, strong educational institutions, technological capabilities, large market, and industry presence needed to become a natural hub for startups and innovation. She emphasized that the startup ecosystem should go beyond creating businesses and become a foundation for innovation, investment, employment generation, and broader economic growth. The policy aims to generate more than four lakh job opportunities and support youth-led ventures across emerging sectors.
The roundtable represents a significant early step toward shaping Delhi's startup policy through direct consultation with leading industry figures, founders, and investors. By combining public funding with private expertise and addressing regulatory barriers, the government aims to build a more supportive environment for entrepreneurship. If implemented effectively, the Delhi Startup and Incubation Policy, 2026 could position the national capital as a leading centre for innovation, private investment, and employment generation across multiple sectors.