Gujarat Government Supports Over 1,500 Startups Through  SSIP 2.0 in Four Years 

In a significant move to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, the Gujarat government  has provided financial and institutional backing to 1,543 startups in the last four years  under its Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP) 2.0. This initiative underscores  the state’s commitment to cultivating a robust, innovation-driven entrepreneurial  ecosystem. 

As per an official announcement, SSIP 2.0 has been instrumental in nurturing early stage startups, student innovators, and technology-focused enterprises throughout  Gujarat. The policy is designed to facilitate the journey of ideas from conception to  commercialization by offering essential resources such as funding, mentorship, access  to infrastructure, and institutional support. 

₹300 Crore Allocated to Bolster the Innovation Ecosystem 

The Gujarat government has allocated a total of ₹300 crore over five years for SSIP 2.0,  with an annual budget of ₹60 crore. This funding includes ₹30 crore for technical  education, ₹12 crore for the Gujarat Startup and Innovation Hub (i-Hub), ₹10 crore for  higher education, and ₹8 crore for innovation initiatives at the school level. 

During this period, the government has supported 5,684 innovations aimed at proof-of concept (PoC) and prototype development, while also facilitating 2,296 intellectual  property rights (IPR) filings through 339 educational and research institutions across the 

state. Notably, over ₹32.38 crore has been specifically allocated for PoC and prototype  funding. 

I-Hub: A Crucial Support System for Startups 

A pivotal element in Gujarat’s startup success story is the Gujarat Startup and  Innovation Hub (i-Hub) located in Ahmedabad. Established under the SSIP framework,  i-Hub serves as a central support facility for early-stage startups, assisting them with  company formation, compliance, scaling, branding, and securing investor access. 

To date, approximately 620 startups have directly benefited from i-Hub’s structured  mentorship, ecosystem access, and funding support. Manan Bateriwala, founder of  Keepsake Automation, shared his journey, highlighting how i-Hub was vital in his  entrepreneurial path. Starting as a freelancer, he received invaluable guidance on  various aspects, including company incorporation and scaling strategies. Today, his  startup employs 37 people and has received ₹15 lakh in government grants, which he  credits as a crucial factor in his growth. 

Job Creation, Valuation, and Private Funding Successes 

Startups nurtured through i-Hub have collectively generated around 1,400 skilled jobs  across Gujarat. Their combined market valuation has soared to approximately ₹3,569  crore, showcasing the evolving maturity of the state’s startup ecosystem.  

In addition to government support, these startups have successfully attracted over ₹416  crore in private funding from venture capital firms and investors. To broaden its  outreach, i-Hub has adopted a hub-and-spoke model, expanding its operations to over  20 districts and engaging more than 4 lakh youth through awareness and outreach  initiatives. 

Emphasis on Women Entrepreneurs and Regional Growth 

Through the WEstart initiative, which aims to enhance women’s participation in  entrepreneurship, 196 women-led startups have received support, representing nearly  30% of the total startups assisted. 

Looking to the future, the Gujarat government plans to further strengthen its  entrepreneurial ecosystem by establishing four new startup centres in Vadodara, Surat,  Rajkot, and Mehsana over the coming year, building on the success of the Ahmedabad based i-Hub. 

These collective efforts highlight Gujarat’s unwavering ambition to position itself as one  of India’s foremost hubs for startups and innovation.