How Bihar's Youth Are Scripting a New Success Story Through Startups, Breathing New Life Into the Economy
Patna: In Bihar—where a "double-engine" government is working towards parallel development across every sector—small startups have breathed new life into the economy. Prioritizing entrepreneurship over traditional employment, the new generation of youth has leveraged the benefits of the "Startup Bihar" loan scheme to launch innovative companies, making a significant impact in both small towns and major cities.
Over the past four to five years, by securing financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh through the Industry Department's "Startup Bihar" scheme, these entrepreneurs have made their mark and achieved success in both domestic and international markets.
GAURAS
"Gauras"—a startup that originated in Saidanpur village, near the state capital—has today captured the hearts of the people on the strength of its products. Kundan Singh, the founder of the startup, shared that after working in Punjab for 14 years, he returned to his village during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon his return, he utilized the experience he had gained working with dairy products—specifically within the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) wing of his previous company—to launch a venture in his own village. His first step was to secure a loan of Rs 10 lakh through the Bihar government's "Startup Bihar" scheme.
Subsequently, he traveled to Rajasthan to procure Sahiwal-breed cows and brought them back to his village. Today, the "Gauras" brand is highly acclaimed for its milk, curd, paneer (cottage cheese), and ghee. Customers appreciate the authentic, traditional essence that permeates their products.
Furthermore, this business venture has provided him with the opportunity to engage in Gau Seva (service to cows). His startup has also been felicitated by the then Minister of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, Mukesh Sahni, and the then Minister of Industries, Sameer Mahaseth.
SevaCity App
Mayank Gupta, a native of Araria district, has earned the prestigious title of "Innovative Startup of the Year" on the strength of his entrepreneurial venture. Sharing the story behind his startup, "SevaCity App," founder Mayank Gupta explained that after obtaining his MBA degree from Symbiosis College in 2023, he initially contemplated taking up a job for a year and a half.
During this interim period, however, he secured a loan of Rs 10 lakh through the "Startup Bihar" scheme and developed the "SevaCity App." The app aims to provide a platform for local businesses operating in small towns, enabling them to gain exposure and promotion across both domestic and international markets.
Mayank also mentioned that this startup, launched in 2021, is currently being used by over 50,000 people. Furthermore, institutions such as NIT Patna, DIM Patna, and IIM Calcutta have extended their support to this app. He further stated that the venture has generated a revenue of Rs 4 crore by the financial year 2024–25.
The 'Startup Bihar' scheme, initiated by the Government of Bihar, is proving to be a boon for new investors. Consequently, the youth of Bihar are now actively preparing to become entrepreneurs.