Gujarat, Karnataka, Meghalaya top startup ecosystems

Gujarat, Karnataka and Meghalaya were the 'best performers' in developing startup ecosystems for entrepreneurs last year, according to the latest ranking by the Centre's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). 

Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana and J&K were in the next category of 'top performers'.

In the previous report in 2019, Gujarat and Andaman and Nicobar Islands were 'best performers', while Karnataka and Kerala were 'top performers'. 

There are three other categories: Leaders, aspiring leaders, and emerging startup ecosystems. Tamil Nadu, UP, and Punjab are among the eight states and UTs in the leaders category. 

TN and UP were in the emerging startup ecosystems category in 2019. Rajasthan, Delhi and MP are among the 11 in the aspiring leaders category. 

Among major states, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar are in the emerging startup ecosystems category, according to the latest ranking of states and UTs by the DPIIT. 

The study looks at areas like institutional support to startups, access to markets, incubation support and funding support. 

This year, three areas were added to the framework, including capacity building of enablers, mentorship support and fostering innovation & entrepreneurship. India has the world's third biggest startup ecosystem, after the US and China. 

Commerce & industry minister Piyush Goyal, while releasing the latest report, said India should aspire to be No. 1.

The government, he said, has enacted 52 regulatory changes to support ease of doing business for startups and to facilitate their growth.