Tripura leads Northeast India in startup growth and women-led enterprises, achieving 66% recognition rise in five years. The state’s innovation drive, policy reforms, and inclusive ecosystem mark it as a national startup leader, showcased at Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit 2025.
Tripura has emerged as the leading startup hub in the Northeast, recording a remarkable 66 per cent growth in startup recognitions over the past five years — the highest among all Northeastern states, according to the Startup India report “Prabhaav: Startup India 9-Year Factbook (December 2024)”.
This significant achievement was showcased at the Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit 2025, held in Coimbatore, where Tripura’s model of entrepreneurship, inclusivity, and policy-driven innovation received national attention. The two-day event, organised by StartupTN at the CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex, attracted over 71,000 visitors, more than 20 global startup stakeholders and speakers, and witnessed investment commitments worth Rs 100 crore.
Tripura’s Policy-Driven Growth in Innovation
Tripura stands out for its consistent progress in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The state leads in two major categories — top-performing Tier 2/3 districts and the highest number of women-led startups in the Northeast. Officials credited this to the government’s proactive startup policies and inclusive growth model.
Jeya Ragul Geshan B., IFS, Director of IT, Government of Tripura, highlighted that the state’s focus on policy innovation and measurable outcomes has transformed it into one of India’s most promising startup destinations.
“Tripura stands at an important inflexion point. In alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of a Rs 5 trillion economy by 2028 and achieving Vikshit Bharat by 2047, we are determined to play a strategic role in India’s innovation-led growth story under the leadership of Chief Minister Prof (Dr) Manik Saha,” Geshan said at the summit.
A Strong Policy Foundation
Tripura was among the first Northeastern states to adopt a Startup Policy in 2019 and was recognised as a ‘Category B – Leader’ in the Startup India State Ranking 2022. Building on this foundation, the Tripura Startup Policy 2024 launched a Rs 50 crore fund to support entrepreneurs, along with startup grants for students, incubators, and patent support for innovators.
Currently, the state hosts over 80 recognised startups and eight active incubators, including the ISRO-supported Space Tech Incubation Centre at NIT Agartala and the Tripura University Business Incubator. These institutions nurture innovation from the idea stage to scalable business ventures.
Innovation Aligned with Local Strengths
With a population of about 41 lakh and a literacy rate exceeding 94 per cent, Tripura is leveraging its human capital to drive innovation. The state is positioning itself as a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia through the Agartala–Akhaura rail link and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) that connect it to regional trade routes.
Tripura’s emerging startups are making strides in agri-tech, bamboo-based industries, eco-tourism, fintech, and green packaging — sectors that combine local resources with global market opportunities. The Tripura IT Incentive Scheme (2017) and the International Internet Gateway in Agartala have strengthened its digital infrastructure, creating a fertile environment for tech-led entrepreneurship.
“Our goal is to blend IT with entrepreneurship, to empower every district with digital tools, startup resources and market access. Tripura is not waiting for change; we are building it,” Geshan emphasized.
Collaboration and Future Vision
Tripura has also proposed collaborative partnerships with Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Assam in deep-tech, agri-tech, and green innovation sectors, aiming for joint venture funding and shared innovation challenges.
“Tripura may be small, but our intent is always big. We are proving that innovation does not need to be metro-centric — it needs to be mission-driven,” Geshan added.
| Also Read: Tripura Government to Launch ‘Tripura Start-up Policy 2024’ on January 24 |
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The Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit 2025 underscored Tripura’s growing prominence in India’s innovation landscape. The state’s steady rise exemplifies how smaller states can drive inclusive, decentralised, and sustainable growth, reshaping India’s national startup movement.
