For many years, people believed that an ambitious entrepreneur needed to move to Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai or Bengaluru to build a serious business.
I believe that assumption is changing.
Verified fact: As of 31 March 2026, India had more than 2.23 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups operating across every State and Union Territory. An official government backgrounder also reported that approximately 50% of recognised startups were emerging from Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
My view: Technology has reduced the disadvantage of location. Entrepreneurs can now communicate with customers, recruit professionals, market nationally, receive digital payments and manage many operations without maintaining an expensive office in a metropolitan city.
Smaller cities can also provide practical advantages: lower operating costs, shorter travel times, stronger local relationships and a better quality of life. Cities such as Dehradun have educated young people, improving connectivity and growing demand for professional services.
However, smaller cities should not assume that opportunity will arrive automatically. Reliable internet, transport, commercial buildings, skilled employees, professional work culture and responsive local administration are essential. Talent will remain only where it finds genuine career growth.
Entrepreneurs must also avoid thinking locally simply because they are based in a smaller city. Their standards, technology, service and ambition must compete nationally—and sometimes internationally.
Delhi and Gurugram will continue to remain important centres for investment, talent and large corporate networks. The opportunity is not to reject major cities, but to build credible alternatives beyond them.
In my opinion, the future of Indian entrepreneurship will not be concentrated in only a few metropolitan areas. It will belong to capable people who use their city as a base—not as a limitation.
—Tushar Kumar