Startup hubs
Shimla, Mandi, Solan
Nodal agency
Directorate of Industries, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh
Official portal
Tracks
By Women For Good
Himachal pairs a state scheme with one of India’s most respected mountain institutions. The Chief Minister’s Startup, Innovation Projects and New Industries Scheme funds incubation centres in host institutions and supports selected founders through the idea-to-industry journey, while IIT Mandi’s Catalyst incubator has become a genuine deep-tech magnet in the Himalayas. Add relaxed inspections and stamp-duty concessions for startups, and the operating math in the hills starts to work.
Flagship support
CM Startup Scheme
The flagship scheme supports selected startups and innovation projects through recognised host-institution incubators, from idea approval to assistance sanction.
Host-institution incubators
Empanelled incubation centres across universities and institutes, with financial assistance for incubators to build capacity and mentor founders.
IIT Mandi Catalyst
A leading technology business incubator in the Himalayas running funded cohorts for deep-tech and impact startups.
Compliance relief
Self-certification, a multi-year inspection holiday and stamp-duty concessions reduce early friction for new units.
Who gets extra doors opened
For women founders
Programs like EWOK around IIT Mandi focus specifically on enabling women entrepreneurs in the region, alongside the state scheme’s inclusive selection.
For startups solving public problems
Eco-tourism, horticulture, renewable energy and mountain-logistics problems are real and underserved; solving them here often means solving them for every hill economy.
Getting started in Himachal Pradesh
Register on the Startup Himachal portal as a startup, mentor or incubator.
Submit your idea through the online application; institution-recommended proposals go to the empowered committee.
Target IIT Mandi Catalyst or another empanelled incubator for structured support and follow-on schemes.
Official sources
Verify everything here before applying
startuphimachal.hp.gov.in startupindia.gov.in (central schemes)Building in Himachal Pradesh? Do not build alone.
Join the hub for the Starter Boost: volunteer expert consultations, curated resources and webinars, at no cost. Then use the community to find your people in Shimla and beyond. Founders never pay to be here.
Scheme details, amounts and eligibility change over time and by notification. This page is a plain-language starting point, not official or legal advice. Always confirm the current rules on the official portal above before applying, and if a link has moved, search the program name to find its new home.