Uttar Pradesh government plans to support at least 50 artificial intelligence-focused startups in Lucknow over the next five years as the state seeks to expand the city beyond its existing IT services base.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the target while speaking at an event marking the 10th anniversary of the HCLTech campus in Lucknow. He also called on HCLTech to work with the state government on developing an AI-focused innovation ecosystem in the city.
CM said, would support startups in setting up operations, strengthening their businesses and accessing international markets. He said the broader aim was to position Lucknow as a centre for AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, computing and deep technology.
Lucknow AI Focus
“We have to make Lucknow not just a centre for IT services but a major hub for AI, semiconductors, cyber security, computing technology and deep tech,” CM Yogi said, stressing cooperation between industry and the government.
The announcement places AI startups at the centre of the state government plan for expanding the technology sector in Lucknow. The chief minister did not provide details on the proposed financial support, selection criteria or the institutions that would implement the five-year startup programme.
Yogi also used the HCLTech anniversary to highlight the company presence in Lucknow. He said the company had started its journey in the state nearly five decades ago and described the 10-year-old Lucknow campus as an important part of that association.
UP Technology Base
The chief minister said the growth of the HCLTech campus should be viewed not only in terms of business and employment but also through the career opportunities created for young people in the state.
He said Uttar Pradesh had a large young workforce and that more young people were now choosing cities within the state instead of moving to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad for jobs.
We have to make Lucknow not just a centre for IT services but a major hub for AI, semiconductors, cyber security, computing technology and deep tech.— Yogi Adityanath, CM, Uttar Pradesh
Chief Minister also pointed to improvements in road and other infrastructure. He said the roughly 1,200-km distance between Ballia and Bijnor could now be covered in about 10 hours, compared with several days a decade ago.
IT Exports Rise
On the technology and electronics sector, CM said Uttar Pradesh now accounts for about 55% of mobile manufacturing in the country and nearly 60% of electronic component production. These figures were presented by the chief minister at the event.
He said IT and IT-enabled services exports from the state had increased from around Rs 12,000-15,000 crore a decade ago to more than Rs 1 lakh crore. The government is targeting Rs 2.5 lakh crore in such exports over the next four years.
Electronics exports, according to the chief minister, have also increased from about Rs 3,800 crore to Rs 45,000 crore over the same period. The state has set a target of taking electronics exports to Rs 2 lakh crore by 2030.
Innovation Hub in UP
Uttar Pradesh is expanding its technology infrastructure beyond Noida, with IT parks operating in Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Meerut and Agra. The state has also said new IT parks are being developed in Varanasi, Bareilly, Kanpur and Gorakhpur.
Seven Software Technology Parks are currently operational in the state, according to CM. The expansion is intended to spread technology activity across more cities and create additional opportunities for startups, IT companies and skilled workers.
For Lucknow, the proposed AI startup programme adds a new layer to this technology push. However, the success of the plan will depend on how the government converts the stated target into actual startup support, funding access, infrastructure and market opportunities.
HCLTech Event in Lucknow
CM Yogi said HCLTech had played a role in changing the technology profile of Lucknow during the past decade. He described the relationship between the company and the city as mutually beneficial.
The government now wants a similar expansion in emerging technologies, with AI among the main areas of focus. Its five-year target of supporting 50 startups will test whether Lucknow can attract and retain companies working in newer technology fields.
The proposed programme also comes as Uttar Pradesh seeks to increase its IT, IT-enabled services and electronics exports. For Lucknow, the immediate challenge will be building the infrastructure, talent pool and industry links needed to support the next generation of AI businesses.
