The Government of Gujarat launched the fifth edition of the herSTART programme (herSTART 5.0) to strengthen opportunities for women entrepreneurs. The initiative was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at Gujarat University, Ahmedabad.
The programme aims to support women-led startups by providing incubation facilities, mentorship, and market access, thereby encouraging greater participation of women in India’s startup ecosystem.
herSTART 5.0 Programme
The herSTART programme is implemented by the Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC).
Its primary objective is to support women founders in transforming innovative ideas into sustainable businesses by offering structured startup support.
Key Features of Programme
| Feature | Details |
| Programme Name | herSTART 5.0 |
| Launched By | Government of Gujarat |
| Inaugurated By | Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel |
| Venue | Gujarat University, Ahmedabad |
| Implementing Agency | Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC) |
| Target Group | Women-led startups |
Institutional Support for Women Entrepreneurs
The herSTART programme is designed to strengthen gender inclusion in entrepreneurship by providing women founders with structured support systems.
Women-led enterprises are increasingly contributing to:
- Innovation
- Employment generation
- Economic growth
Encouraging women entrepreneurship is therefore an important component of India’s broader startup ecosystem development.
Support Provided to Women Startups
Selected startups under the programme receive comprehensive institutional support, including:
- Startup incubation space
- Expert mentorship
- Networking opportunities with investors and industry leaders
- Market access support
- Training and business development guidance
Participants are mentored in critical areas such as:
- Business model development
- Financial planning
- Product design
- Market expansion strategies
This support helps early-stage startups address common challenges related to funding, visibility, and market access.
Role of Startup Incubation Centres
Startup incubation centres play a crucial role in nurturing early-stage enterprises by providing:
- Infrastructure support
- Mentorship and technical guidance
- Access to investor networks
- Funding advisory services
Such centres help transform innovative ideas into commercially viable businesses.
India’s Expanding Startup Ecosystem
India has witnessed significant growth in its startup ecosystem over the past decade.
| Indicator | Data |
| Current number of startups | Around 200,000 |
| Startups a decade ago | Fewer than 500 |
This growth has been driven by policy support, funding mechanisms, and entrepreneurship promotion programmes.
Role of Startup India Initiative
The expansion of India’s startup ecosystem has been supported by the Startup India initiative, launched in 2016.
Key Objectives of Startup India
- Promote entrepreneurship and innovation
- Provide tax incentives for startups
- Facilitate funding and investment support
- Simplify regulatory compliance
- Encourage technology-driven business models
Women entrepreneurs are increasingly becoming an important segment within this ecosystem.