At the 2025 Jaipur Literature Festival, Rajasthan's Startup Revolution Takes Center Stage

SUMMARY: As part of the Rajasthan government's iStart initiative, around 130 companies will be exhibiting their products at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025. At the JLF, startups like the edtech portal We Are One and the foodtech platform MyEats have gained attention. The iStart program, which was started in 2017, offers entrepreneurs full support, including mentorship, incubation, and grants of up to INR 2 Cr.Known by many as the largest literary spectacle in the world, the 17th edition of the annual five-day Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) began on January 30 in the capital of Rajasthan. Nearly 2,000 speakers and more than a million guests are anticipated for the JLF 2025, which will take place at Hotel Clarks Amer from January 30 to February 3. The JLF has evolved into a hive of ideas, cultures, stimulating debates, and—above all—innovations over the years. The flagship project of the Rajasthani government, iStart, contributes to the innovative aspect of the JLF. The JIF and iStart have been working together for five years in a row to give the state's expanding startup community a stage on which to display its accomplishments.

The Department of IT and Communication of the state government launched the iStart project to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation in the state. This year, 130 businesses sponsored by iStart are exhibiting their products at the JLF. These firms range from service-based to AR/VR to direct-to-consumer. They will have the chance to network with participants, get important feedback, and increase their visibility over the five-day festival. Additionally, startups are not required to pay the JLF's exhibition spot reservation charge.