Ahmedabad turns civic systems into start-up lab for urban fixes

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has launched the 'Ahmedabad Innovation and Startup Policy 2026' to convert the city's civic infrastructure into a "living laboratory" for startups. The policy aims to address everyday urban challenges by allowing startups to test, refine, and scale solutions on real city systems. It offers relaxations for startups, including exemptions from prior experience and turnover requirements, and a Right of First Refusal mechanism for successful pilots. The policy seeks to make Ahmedabad a sandbox of ideas and innovations for urban governance.