Archive · 20 Nov 2025
Rajasthan's iStart: A Thriving Startup Ecosystem Under CM Bhajan Lal Sharma
Rajasthan's iStart program, led by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, has helped over 7,000 startups get off the ground.
It offers early-stage support, mentoring, and access to funding.
The program is spread across the state, including small towns, and supports startups in various sectors.
The government also helps startups get early customers by opening up government contracts.
Over 7,100 startups registered, attracting Rs 1,000 crore investment and creating 42,500 jobs
iStart offers pre-seed support, mentoring, training, and access to grants and credit
Decentralized layout with incubation centers across Rajasthan, including small towns
Startups focus on deep tech, agritech, food processing, edtech, and clean energy
Startup procurement policy opens government contracts for young firms
- Who
- Startups in Rajasthan
- What
- Have benefited from the iStart program
- When
- Over the past eight years
- Where
- Rajasthan, with incubation centers across the state
- Why
- To support early-stage startups and foster innovation
Proponents of iStart
Critics of iStart
Early-stage support
Proponents of iStart
Crucial for startups to survive and grow
Critics of iStart
May lead to over-reliance on government funding
Geographical spread
Proponents of iStart
Inclusive, brings innovation to small towns
Critics of iStart
May lead to unequal development between regions
- Program Name
- iStart
- CM of Rajasthan
- Bhajan Lal Sharma
- Startups Registered
- Over 7,100
- Investment Attracted
- Over Rs 1,000 crore
- Jobs Created
- 42,500
- Support Offered
- Pre-seed funding, mentoring, training, access to grants and credit
- Incubation Centers
- Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Pali, Churu