ShuruKar: Your next business could start in your hometown

What happened

Launched in Patna and developed with DPIIT and Startup India, YourStory's ShuruKar is a nationwide initiative that combines AI tools, founder mentorship, and local networks to help aspiring entrepreneurs move from identifying a problem to finding their first customer. That was the message from Patna, where The Bharat Project, an initiative by YourStory , launched ShuruKar at Dr.

ShuruKar, a nationwide district-level movement launched in Patna on Saturday, wants to make that possible by nurturing local entrepreneurs, supporting aspiring founders and building a stronger startup culture. Uttar Pradesh has approved its Startup Procurement Scheme 2026, which will give eligible startups a pathway to sell their products and services to government departments.

A big idea does not need a big city. Developed in partnership with DPIIT and Startup India, ShuruKar is billed as the first nationwide district-level movement of its kind.

It aims to help young Indians identify a problem worth solving in their district, build a business around it, and continue growing it. The launch drew Shri Nitish Mishra, Minister, Urban Development and Housing Department, Government of Bihar, along with founders, students and young entrepreneurs from across the state.

YourStory's ShuruKar is a nationwide initiative that combines AI tools, founder mentorship, and local networks to help aspiring entrepreneurs move from identifying a problem to finding their first customer. The initiative aims to connect people with the resources and opportunities they need to turn ideas into businesses, bringing startup support closer to aspiring entrepreneurs beyond India’s established innovation hubs. A dedicated UP Startup E-Marketplace will list startup-built solutions for procurement, opening up potential new customers and growth opportunities for businesses across the state.