In a strong testament to the entrepreneurial energy surging beyond India’s metro hubs, BizDateUp, one of the country’s fastest-growing startup investment and enablement platforms, has reported that around 60% of its startup investments in FY24-25 were made in founders from Tier II and III cities.

Out of the 21 startups funded during the fiscal year, 11 were led by entrepreneurs from smaller towns, with Nashik and Jaipur emerging as standout hubs of innovation. This shift signals a significant evolution in India’s startup ecosystem—one that is no longer confined to Bengaluru, Mumbai, or Delhi, but thriving across what is now being recognized as Bharat 2.0.

Cities like Nashik and Jaipur have emerged as vibrant startup hubs, contributing prominently to BizDateUp’s investment portfolio. This rise of “Bharatpreneurs” demonstrates how innovation, ambition, and execution are now thriving across India’s smaller cities, no longer limited to the major tech corridors of Bengaluru, Mumbai, or Delhi.

“Our belief is simple—great ideas don’t have pin codes,” said Jeet Chandan, Managing Director, BizDateUp. “What we are seeing in Tier II and III cities is not just potential, but performance. These founders are solving real problems for real markets, with impressive capital efficiency. Eighty percent of the start-ups we funded in these regions have already reached profitability or achieved major growth milestones. Their hunger, resilience, and customer closeness give them an edge that’s hard to replicate.”

Among the standout success stories are Square Insurance from Jaipur, which recorded 650% unrealised returns, and PDRL, a drone-tech and SaaS company from Nashik, which achieved 482% unrealised returns. These examples underscore how high-impact ventures are being built from outside the startup mainstream—powered by smart business models and strong local market insights.

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“Tier II and III founders often bring sharper unit economics, deeper market understanding, and a relentless drive to build sustainably,” said Meet Jain, CEO of BizDateUp. “Our role is not just to fund these ventures, but to actively support them with sales networks, strategic guidance, and business development. We’ve seen this first-hand with companies like BattRE and Square Insurance, where our enablement helped unlock new revenue streams through strategic tie-ups.”

Beyond capital, BizDateUp’s involvement includes strategic mentorship, go-to-market support, and networking opportunities that empowers Bharat-based founders to compete on a national and global level. This approach aligns with BizDateUp’s core belief: that India’s startup future lies in empowering innovation from every corner of the country.

As India continues its journey toward becoming a global startup powerhouse, BizDateUp’s investment model offers a blueprint for inclusive, performance-driven growth where Tier II and III cities are not just catching up but leading the charge.