Maharashtra has established itself as the country’s leading startup hub, with nearly 45 per cent of registered startups led by women, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday. He was speaking at the inauguration of a pre-incubation centre and the one-day ‘Innovation Mahakumbh’ at SNDT Women’s University in Juhu.
Calling Maharashtra the “true startup capital of India,” Fadnavis said the state government remains committed to strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship among young people. “The pre-incubation centre will help students develop their startup ideas, build prototypes, and prepare for incubation programmes offering financial and technical support. Every new idea from the youth holds the potential to become an innovation. This is the age of startups, and everyone has the opportunity to be an entrepreneur,” he said.
He added that the state is actively supporting young entrepreneurs through specific policies and funding mechanisms. “When ideas turn into market-ready products, they not only simplify life but also fuel economic growth,” he said, while praising universities such as SNDT for encouraging student-led innovation.
During his visit, Fadnavis interacted with student innovators and reviewed more than 140 startup ideas developed by SNDT students. He also felicitated three students who presented promising startups in medical technology, agriculture, and transport.
The event was attended by skill development minister Mangalprabhat Lodha, Union Education Ministry joint secretary Armstrong Pame, UGC chairman Vineet Joshi, NAAC chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe, and SNDT vice-chancellor Ujjwala Chakradev.
Lodha said Maharashtra is advancing quickly in both education and innovation, expressing confidence that the state will soon lead the nation in these areas.
Chakradev highlighted that the pre-incubation centre will act as a launchpad for students to refine their ideas, connect with industries and investors, and learn how to transform concepts into viable startups.
NAAC and National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) chairperson Anil Sahasrabudhe announced that new teacher training modules featuring Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and animated content are being developed to modernise classroom teaching. “These tools will help teachers make complex concepts simpler and more engaging,” he said, adding that NETF plans to collaborate with edtech startups and test innovations in a ‘sandbox’ environment before expanding them further.
“Quality education requires curiosity and a scientific spirit among children. Our aim is to train teachers who can inspire both,” he said. “The traditional approach to teaching no longer resonates with today’s learners. Through AR, VR, and simulation, we aim to make classrooms more lively and effective,” he added.
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