New Delhi: The Government of India is actively promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in smaller cities through the Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS), Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada informed Parliament. The initiative, implemented by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), seeks to strengthen the technology start-up ecosystem in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, enabling them to emerge as future hubs of innovation.
Strong Support for Early-Stage Ventures
Under NGIS, a total of 686 start-ups across emerging cities have received support. The assistance includes-
- Mentorship programs
- Stipends and seed funding
- Networking opportunities
- Access to incubation facilities and infrastructure
A total of ₹67.84 crore has been allocated for implementing the scheme, aimed at fostering early-stage ventures and nurturing talent outside major metropolitan regions.
City-Wise Impact of NGIS
The scheme has already made significant inroads across multiple states. The distribution of start-ups supported under NGIS includes:
City & State-Wise Star-tup Support Under NGIS
| Sl. No | City | State | Number of Start-ups Supported |
| 1 | Vijayawada | Andhra Pradesh | 133 |
| 2 | Guwahati | Assam | 38 |
| 3 | Patna | Bihar | 31 |
| 4 | Bhilai | Chhattisgarh | 11 |
| 5 | Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | 70 |
| 6 | Bhubaneswar | Odisha | 112 |
| 7 | Mohali | Punjab | 59 |
| 8 | Jaipur | Rajasthan | 101 |
| 9 | Agartala | Tripura | 8 |
| 10 | Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 64 |
| 11 | Prayagraj | Uttar Pradesh | 8 |
| 12 | Dehradun | Uttarakhand | 51 |
Total Start-ups Supported: 686
NGIS as a Catalyst for Inclusive Innovation
The NGIS initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to distribute innovation and start-up growth beyond major cities, ensuring smaller towns contribute meaningfully to the national start-up ecosystem. By providing mentorship, funding, and infrastructure support, the government hopes to cultivate a more inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial landscape across the country.
