Maharashtra Launches CM’s Mega Fund To Boost Youth Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Mumbai: As part of the Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Policy 2025, the state government will launch a new scheme titled Chief Minister’s Mega Fund for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.” This initiative aims to foster entrepreneurship among youth with a technical education background.

According to the state, there are currently 30 lakh technically educated youth in Maharashtra. All of them will be contacted via email and assessed through AI-based evaluation tools.

From this pool, 5 lakh candidates will be shortlisted, and through additional screening processes such as competitive exams, hackathons, and assessments, 1 lakh candidates will be selected. Ultimately, 25,000 candidates will receive technical support, financial assistance, and training, with the goal of developing them into successful entrepreneurs and startup founders.

20 New Short-Term Courses in ITIs from 15th September

In addition, 20 new short-term courses focused on personality development and supplementary skills will be launched in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state from 15th September, announced Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Minister Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha.

Speaking on the occasion, Lodha said, The Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Policy 2025 has been approved and will soon be officially implemented. The policy will be executed through the Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS), with the objective of establishing Maharashtra as India’s most dynamic and future-ready startup hub.”

The policy sets an ambitious five-year vision, targeting the creation of 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs*and the formal recognition of 50,000 startups. It will focus on empowering urban and rural youth, women entrepreneurs, emerging technology sectors, and marginalized communities.

A key feature of the scheme is financial assistance in the form of loans ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs10 lakh, offered in collaboration with financial institutions. A Rs 500 crore corpus fund will be established over five years to support these efforts.

Startups selected during Maharashtra Startup Week will be given opportunities to collaborate directly with government departments and receive pilot project orders worth up to Rs25 lakh. Additionally, every state department will allocate 0.5% of its annual budget to support innovation and entrepreneurship. All initiatives under the policy will be managed and implemented by MSInS, the apex body for innovation and entrepreneurship in Maharashtra.

The newly introduced 20 short-term ITI courses will cover technical training, personality development, and service skills. These include:

Management-Oriented Courses:

1. Business Analytics – 4 months (\~400 hours)

2. Marketing Management – 3 months (\~300 hours)

3. Production Management – 3.5 months (\~350 hours)

4. Financial Management – 3 months (\~300 hours)

5. Behavioural Management – 3.5 months (\~350 hours)

Soft Skills Courses:

1. Advanced Communicative English & Professional Skills Trainer – 3 months

2. Fundamentals of Content Writing – 3 months

3. Communicative English Trainer – 3 months

4. Personality Development & Grooming – 3.5 months

5. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – 3 months

Service Sector Courses:

1. Advanced Gardening – 3.5 months

2. Electrician & Plumbing – 3 months

3. Nursing – 3 months

4. Front Desk Coordinator – 3 months

5. Housekeeping Supervisor – 3.5 months

Emerging Sector Courses:

1. AI & Machine Learning Developer – 3 months

2. Solar Panel Installation & Maintenance – 3.5 months

3. Drone Technology & Operations – 3 months

4. EV Mechanic – 3.5 months

5. Industrial Robotics & Digital Manufacturing Technician – 4 months

Each ITI will also have the flexibility to introduce five additional courses based on local demand, such as:

Co-op Housing Society Management* (Urban Areas)

Fish Processing & Ornamental Fisheries* (Coastal Regions)

Agro/Food Processing Technician* (Agricultural Belts)

Traditional Sports Festival to Be Held in Mumbai in Memory of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar

Minister Lodha also announced that the ‘Olympian Khashaba Jadhav Paramparik Krida Mahakumbha’ will be organized in Mumbai in memory of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar. The event will be held from 13th to 22nd August at the Jam Saheb Mukadam Government ITI grounds in Kurla.

The mega event aims to revive traditional Indian sports such as Lezim, Phugdi, Lagori, Vitti Dandu, and other culturally rooted games from the Maratha era.

Competitions will be held in both male and female categories in:

Kabaddi

Kho-Kho

Lagori

Lezim

Tug-of-War

Mallakhamb

Pawan Khind Run

Wrestling

Arm Wrestling

Vitti-Dandu

Rope Skipping

Phugdi

Yoga

Minister Lodha urged citizens to participate in and support the event. Interested organizations and sports clubs can register by contacting the organizers via mobile numbers 9867066506 or 9768327745, as informed by Krida Bharati.