In a move aimed at strengthening the startup ecosystem and accelerating the Government of India’s Startup India initiative, the UT Administration has initiated the process of leasing vacant space at the Entrepreneur Development Centre (EDC) in Rajiv Gandhi IT Park to budding entrepreneurs and startups.
The Administration’s Information Technology Department has invited applications from startups interested in setting up offices at the incubation centre. Officials said the initiative was intended to provide young entrepreneurs with affordable office space and a conducive environment to develop and scale up their businesses.
As part of the application process, startups will be required to submit a detailed business plan outlining information related to ownership, technical platform, business model and future funding requirements. The reserve licence fee for incubation bays has been fixed at Rs 142 per square foot per month, excluding GST.
In addition, the Administration is offering co-working spaces with a maximum monthly fee of Rs 10,537 per seat. A total of 103 co-working seats are currently available. Applicants will also be required to deposit a security amount equivalent to two months’ licence fee at the time of allotment.
Officials said the facility had been developed on a plug-and-play model, enabling startups to commence operations immediately, without having to invest in office infrastructure. The centre offers a range of amenities, including centralised air-conditioning, uninterrupted power backup, high-speed internet connectivity, workstation networking and housekeeping services.
It is also equipped with video conferencing facilities, seminar halls, conference and ideation rooms and adequate parking space. Round-the-clock security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a safe and professional working environment.
Apart from providing office infrastructure, the Administration plans to support entrepreneurs through mentoring and guidance under Chandigarh’s recently notified startup policy. The latter aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship by providing category-wise financial incentives and support mechanisms for emerging startups.
Officials noted that startups played a crucial role in generating employment and contributing to economic growth. In line with this objective, both Central and UT governments are implementing various initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.
To further simplify access to government support, the Chandigarh Administration has also decided to establish a single-window system for startups. Through this mechanism, entrepreneurs will be able to seek funding, approvals, guidance and other forms of assistance from relevant departments through a unified platform.
The initiative is expected to attract aspiring entrepreneurs and technology-driven ventures to the city, while further strengthening Chandigarh’s position as an emerging startup and innovation hub in northern India.