UP to Support 50 AI Startups in Lucknow, HCLTech Invests 500 Cr

Uttar Pradesh plans to support at least 50 AI-focused startups in Lucknow over five years, while HCL Group announces a ₹500 crore expansion of its IT City campus with new capacity and employment opportunities.

The Uttar Pradesh government plans to support at least 50 artificial intelligence-focused startups in Lucknow over the next five years as part of efforts to establish the state capital as a leading AI innovation hub. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the initiative while addressing an event marking the 10th anniversary of HCLTech’s operations in Lucknow.

Adityanath said the state government would provide support to establish and strengthen the startups and help them access global markets. He also called on HCLTech to partner with the state government in developing Lucknow’s AI innovation ecosystem. The state aims to expand the city’s technology base beyond IT services to areas such as AI, semiconductors, cyber security, computing and deep tech.

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At the same event, HCL Group announced an investment of ₹500 crore for the second phase of HCL IT City in Lucknow. The planned expansion will cover around 20 acres and add up to 9.5 lakh square feet of infrastructure. The new facilities will include an IT building with capacity for around 5,000 seats, along with multilevel parking and other supporting infrastructure. The expansion is expected to generate approximately 6,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

HCLTech Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra said the expansion reflects the company’s continued commitment to Uttar Pradesh and its confidence in the state’s talent and potential for technology-led growth. HCLTech established its Lucknow campus in 2016, which has since grown into one of its key global delivery centres. The campus currently employs more than 12,500 people and serves over 150 global enterprises.

HCLTech also announced an AI upskilling initiative for 1,000 students across Uttar Pradesh through its LITMUS programme during FY27. In addition, HCL Group launched the HCL-GUVI Emerging Technology Centre at HCL IT City to provide students and professionals with training in AI, data analytics and other emerging technologies.

The developments come as Uttar Pradesh seeks to expand its technology and digital economy. Adityanath said the state’s IT and IT-enabled services exports have increased from around ₹12,000-15,000 crore a decade ago to more than ₹1 lakh crore. The government has set a target of ₹2.5 lakh crore in IT and ITES exports over the next four years.

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The state is also developing IT and deep-tech infrastructure beyond Noida, with IT parks and technology initiatives planned or operational in cities including Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Meerut, Agra, Varanasi, Bareilly and Gorakhpur. The combined initiatives are aimed at strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s startup ecosystem, developing local technology talent and positioning Lucknow as a hub for AI and emerging technologies.