Lucknow: Startup boom in UP led by women directors; numbers rise from 174 to 2,525
Women’s participation in Uttar Pradesh’s startup ecosystem is growing rapidly, and this rise is now clearly visible
- UP’s share of startups with women participation increasing under the Yogi government
- Strong surge from 2017 to 2025; over 300 new DPIIT-recognized startups added in 2026 as well
- Government policies provide decisive boost to women entrepreneurship
Lucknow: Women’s participation in Uttar Pradesh’s startup ecosystem is growing rapidly, and this rise is now clearly visible on the ground. According to the latest data on startups recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), there has been a significant increase in the number of startups in the state that have at least one woman director or partner.
In 2017, Uttar Pradesh had only 174 DPIIT-recognized startups with at least one woman director or partner. This number has steadily grown, reaching 2,525 in 2025.
As of January 31, 2026, women’s participation has been recorded in 301 new startups. All of these startups have been officially recognized by DPIIT. This growth is being attributed to the policies of the Yogi Adityanath government, which has emphasized creating an investment-friendly environment, simplifying procedures, and encouraging youth towards self-employment.
These efforts have had a particularly strong impact on women entrepreneurship, with a large number of women now emerging as directors and partners.
Support from the central government’s Startup India initiative, along with state-level backing, has further accelerated this growth. Schemes such as the Fund of Funds, Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, and Credit Guarantee Scheme are providing financial assistance to startups from their early stages to expansion.
Entrepreneurs in Uttar Pradesh have benefited from these initiatives, helping create a favorable environment for new startups.
Uttar Pradesh is steadily strengthening its position as a rapidly emerging startup hub at the national level. The continuous rise in women’s participation indicates that the scope of entrepreneurship in the state is expanding, with women playing a crucial role.
The state’s startup ecosystem is not only growing but is also emerging as a new model of women empowerment, where policy support and increasing participation together are creating new economic opportunities.
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