LUCKNOW, Dec. 7 -- With proactive support, about 18,568 startups are currently active across Uttar Pradesh, of which nearly 8,000 are led by women entrepreneurs. This growth aligns with the state's startup policy, which offers mentorship, financial assistance and technical support to emerging entrepreneurs, the government said on Sunday.

Officials said the state's IT and electronics policies have also given new momentum to the startup ecosystem, with Noida, Greater Noida, Lucknow, Kanpur and Gorakhpur emerging as major hubs for technology-driven startups. The government is also developing IT parks to make the state an attractive investment destination for global companies, they added.

According to startup sector expert Rajat Srivastava,...