Walk into any engineering college or polytechnic in Rajasthan and ask students: do you want a job or do you want to build something of your own? A few years ago, most would have said a job. Increasingly, more are saying: I want to build.
That shift is not accidental. It has been deliberately cultivated by Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore and the ecosystem his ministry has built through iStart, PMKVY, DigiFest, and a series of policy decisions that treat youth not as job seekers, but as creators of jobs.
The Numbers That Tell the Story
Since Col. Rathore took charge of Rajasthan’s Industry, IT, and Skill Development departments, the state’s startup ecosystem has grown consistently. iStart Rajasthan — India’s largest and most inclusive state startup platform — now has over 6,500+ registered startups, including more than 2,000 women-led ventures. It has facilitated ₹901 crore in investments and created over 32,000 jobs. Non-repayable grants up to ₹25 lakh are available without traditional tendering — meaning a young founder can access government money without pledging assets or navigating procurement red tape.
Rathore’s Advice to Young Entrepreneurs — In His Own Words
At the Vishwakarma Skill University convocation on April 22, 2026, Col. Rathore said: “यह एक डायनेमिक दुनिया है, या तो आप बदलाव लाने वाले बनिए या फिर बदलाव के लिए तैयार रहिए।” At the Angel Rajasthan investor workshop, his message to angel investors was equally direct: “Angel investors must look beyond knowledge and tap into a founder’s drive. You must spot the madness and the willingness to make it through.”
He has also spoken at length about which sectors Rajasthan should own: agritech, AI, renewable energy, edtech, and healthtech — all areas where the state has natural advantages but has historically under-capitalised on entrepreneurship.
DigiFest 2026 + TiE Global Summit: Rajasthan hosted 10,000+ entrepreneurs, 500+ investors, and 100+ global speakers at DigiFest 2026 in Jaipur — the first time TiE Global Summit was held in a non-metro city. Col. Rathore was central to making this happen. For Rajasthan’s youth watching from colleges and workshops, this was a clear signal: the world of entrepreneurship is coming to you.
How to Start — Right Now
- Register your startup on iStart Rajasthan — access seed grants, mentorship, government procurement, and incubation
- Apply for Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana on SSO Portal — interest-free loans up to ₹10 lakh
- Upskill on Skill India Digital — PMKVY courses aligned with tech and entrepreneurship
- Track all new schemes from Col. Rathore’s news section — windows open regularly
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