Spatial distribution of startup cities of India

Abstract

Cities are centers of very high density of population, mainly engaged in non-agricultural activities. The population is usually well educated, trained, highly technical and innovative. Cities with such population are vibrant and energetic and lead the country in different sectors of socio-cultural-economy of the country. Historically cities led the society in trade and commerce, administration, education and industrial activities. In economic development planning, cities acted as the Growth Pole or Growth foci through which the development trickle down to smaller settlements. The information and communication technology brought a new entity named startups in highly technical cities. Initially startups were heard in the Silicon Valley of United States of America, concentration of technology-based companies. Later on with the dispersion of technology, outsourcing of processing component of these big companies and economic compulsions, these big companies start operating from different parts of the world. This led to emergence of startups even in developing countries like India. Startups, technology and innovation are seen as exciting and effective instrument for India’s transformation. Indian Government is considering startups as new engine of employment generation and growth. Startups are making news nowadays and are gaining popularity in India. Their number is increasing day by day. Some of the successful startups are financed or take over by big companies. These startups are highly concentrated in cities. Startup is a new dimension added to the characteristics of cities. The economists are writing number of articles on number, type, investment and different aspects of startups. We geographers are not able to take note of these. It is necessary to analyse the geographical dimensions of startups. Therefore, this paper attempts to trace out the spatial distribution and types of these startup cities in India using secondary data extracted from angel list of startups up to March 2016.