Bihar, a state historically rooted in agriculture, is rapidly transforming into a dynamic hub of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Over the last five years, it has witnessed remarkable economic growth, fueled by a vibrant startup ecosystem and the impactful work of dedicated entrepreneurs. This shift marks a new chapter for Bihar, signaling its emergence as a significant player in India’s evolving economic landscape.
Top Companies and Startups Driving Change
Bihar’s startup scene is booming, with innovative ventures addressing critical sectors like agriculture, healthcare, transportation, and traditional food products. Here are some of the leading companies and startups making a significant impact:
DeHaat
(Founder: Shashank Kumar)
A pioneering agri-tech platform that provides farmers with essential agri-inputs, expert advisory services, and crucial market linkages. DeHaat has already empowered over 350,000 farmers across India and continues its rapid expansion in 2025.
123Hanuman
Founder: Dr. Niraj Jha
Focused on emergency healthcare, this venture simplifies ambulance booking and offers home health services, significantly improving accessibility in rural and semi-urban areas of Bihar.
RodBez
Founder: Dilkhush Kumar
This startup is making intercity and intra-city travel affordable and safe, with a strong focus on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
JhaJi Store
Founders: Kalpana and Uma Jha
A remarkable female-led brand dedicated to preserving Mithila’s culinary heritage through traditional pickles and chutneys, experiencing significant growth both online and offline.
Sattuz
Founder: Sachin Kumar
Revolutionizing traditional sattu by offering it in modern packaging, this innovative food product is gaining widespread popularity nationally and among the Indian diaspora.
Beyond these rising startups, Bihar is also home to over 150 industrial manufacturing companies. These are predominantly small to medium enterprises specializing in sectors such as metals, wood & paper, chemicals, and machinery, with a strong presence in Patna and other districts.
Impactful Entrepreneurs Shaping Bihar’s Future
The state has produced several entrepreneurs who are gaining national and global recognition for their innovative business models and significant social impact:
- Shashank Kumar (DeHaat, FarmN): A driving force in agriculture technology and farmer empowerment.
- Dr. Niraj Jha (Hanuman): Championing healthcare accessibility and emergency services for the masses.
- Ranjan Mistry (Womenia Chakra Foundation, Campus Varta): Dedicated to women’s empowerment, education, and entrepreneurship.
- Irfan Alam (Sammaan Foundation): Leading efforts in poverty alleviation.
- Kaushlendra Kumar (Kaushalya Foundation): Focused on sustainable agriculture development.
- Amrita Singh & Pallavi Sinha (Nav Astitva Foundation): Working on crucial health and hygiene initiatives.
These individuals are not just building businesses; they are actively driving social change and fostering sustainable organizations deeply rooted in Bihar’s unique socio-economic context.
Bihar’s Economic Ascent: A Five-Year Snapshot (2020-2025)
Bihar’s economic trajectory over the last five years paints a picture of steady and impressive growth:
- Growing GSDP: Bihar’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is projected to be approximately ₹10.97 lakh crore (around US$130 billion) for 2025-26, positioning it as the 14th largest economy among Indian states.
- Sectoral Contribution: The state’s economy is predominantly service-driven, contributing 58.6% to the GSDP. Industry accounts for 21.5%, and agriculture, though historically dominant, now contributes 19.9%.
- Industrial Momentum: The manufacturing sector has shown positive momentum, with a growth rate of approximately 3.9% in 2021-22, indicating an improving industrial landscape after years of lagging behind the national average.
- Fastest-Growing Economy: Bihar has consistently been one of the fastest-growing economies in India, with growth rates exceeding 11% in the previous decade. Notably, it was second only to Gujarat in growth during the 2004-09 period.
- Improved Business Climate: Significant reforms implemented by the state government since 2005 have dramatically improved the business environment. A testament to this is Patna’s ranking by the World Bank in 2009 as the second-best city in India to start a business, just after Delhi.
- Overcoming Challenges: While challenges like low per capita income and corruption persist, ongoing reforms and the burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit are steadily propelling Bihar towards further progress.
Summary
Bihar is successfully transitioning from a historically agriculture-dependent economy to a more diversified and dynamic one. This transformation is largely propelled by a vibrant startup ecosystem and growing industrial sectors. Visionary entrepreneurs like Shashank Kumar of DeHaat and Dr. Niraj Jha of 123Hanuman exemplify Bihar’s new wave of innovation, creating scalable solutions that directly address local challenges. The state’s consistent economic reforms and improving infrastructure have been instrumental in fostering this growth, cementing Bihar’s position as an emerging hub for impactful businesses and social ventures in India.
