As India aims a big boost to its already bustling startup ecosystem, the central government is willing to be your business partner if you launch a startup focused on digital solutions for, climate change, agriculture, education, rural development and even health care delivery.

A reason why the Union government has decided to be an investor is to provide “nascent-stage funding for newer entrants given India’s promising startup ecosystem and the potential they hold to transform the many sectors”, an official said. The government had a “good idea and lots of data” on startups’ potential and the value they can add to the economy’s output by managing earlier initiatives such as Startup India, which had an outlay of over ₹900 crore, the official said.

“He invited the startups and FPOs (farmer producer organisations) to submit their proposals to the agriculture ministry,” the second official said.

Through a “stack tech” solution, Aqgromalin, is a technology-driven agricultural diversification platform that allows farmers to enter the aquaculture industries and animal husbandry. The government will set up a new fund for the new initiative which will be managed be private equity fund managers.

“India’s agricultural revolution, or agriculture 4.0, is being fuelled by the rapid use of deep-tech solutions across the country,” said a spokesperson for Aqgromalin, an agri-startup.

“What holding 20% limited equity in any startup means is that the ventures will get additional cash to achieve scale,” said Ashish Patel, a partner with Tech-X, a startup funder.