Shri Piyush Goyal at the inaugural ceremony of Startup
Mahakumbh with other dignitaries
New Delhi, April 04 2025: The
second edition of Startup Mahakumbh began at
the Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi today, marking an important milestone of
India's entrepreneurial journey. The event is led by FICCI, ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM,
TiE, IVCA and Bootstrap Foundation, and supported by GeM, SIDBI, ECGC, DPIIT
and MeitY. This landmark event is set to shape the future of India’s startup
ecosystem under the theme, ‘Startup India @ 2047: Unfolding the Bharat Story.’
The inaugural function of three-day event
was graced by Hon’ble Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and
Industry. It was also attended by dignitaries such as Shri, Rajesh Kumar
Singh, Defence Secretary, Shri, Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, President of Federation
of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Shri Navin Kumar Singh,
Director General, National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection
Centre (NCIIPC). The NCIIPC AI Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative to drive
AI-led innovations in safeguarding India's critical digital infrastructure was
also launched.
The opening plenary was hosted in the
august presence of Shri Jitin Prasada, Hon’ble Union Minister of
State for Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Ministry of Electronics &
Information Technology, who also delivered a special speech. The event was
inaugurated with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by dignitaries who are the
chief architects of India’s startup movement and have played a critical role in
shaping India’s journey in the startup landscape.
The session saw the presence of esteemed guests - Shri
Amardeep Singh, Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Manoj Mittal, Chairman & Managing
Director, SIDBI, Shri Satya Narayan Meena, ACEO & CFO GeM, Shri Sristiraj
Ambastha, Chairman, ECGC Limited, along with other luminaries, Startup
Mahakumbh organizing committee members and industry leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble
Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, said “Just as the Prayagraj Mahakumbh showcased
India's spiritual and cultural grandeur to the world, inspiring our youth to
take pride in our heritage, India's startup revolution is shaping the nation's
economic future. Realising the vision set by our Hon’ble Prime Minister,
India's startup ecosystem has grown from fewer than 500 startups in 2016 to
over 1.6 lakh today, rewriting the rules of economic progress. With strong
policy support, funding initiatives, and an indomitable entrepreneurial spirit,
we are building a nation of job creators and innovation leaders. To achieve Viksit
Bharat 2047, we must think big, be ambitious, and push beyond conventional
boundaries. We need to explore the unknown, take bold risks, and lead India to
global dominance in technology and innovation. As we work towards the vision of
‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, and Jai Anusandhan,’ Startup Mahakumbh
stands as a testament to India's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship,
research, and technological advancement on a global scale.”
Shri Jitin Prasada, Honourable
Union Minister of State for Ministry of Commerce & Industry and
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology commended the support of
all stakeholders in making Startup Mahakumbh a success. He said, “It is not
only the government and the stakeholders who are sitting on the dias, but each
one who is attending the event, who will and has contributed to the growth
story of ensuring India does become the developed nation of Bharat by 2047. Our
government is agile that listens legislates and brings policy changes. Now we
want the start-up experts, innovators and industry to collaborate for a better,
stronger and a more vibrant India, so that we can fulfil our commitment to the
people of India by making their lives better and changing it for the good.”
Talking about the event, Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia,
Secretary, DPIIT, said, "I am very excited to see the heartening
response we have received for the second edition of the Startup Mahakumbh, a
very strong force for the Indian startup industry. He added, “Under the Startup
India initiative from DPIIT, we have executed various groundbreaking projects
and undertaken recurring models to propel the Indian Startup Ecosystem. Today,
there are more than 1,60,000 certificates issued for Startup Recognition by
DPIIT, creating 18 lakh+ jobs. The journey continues with many progressive
policies, initiatives, and programs strengthening India’s position as a global
innovation hub.”
Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary,
DPIIT, shared his views on the event, “Startup Mahakumbh is not just a
platform—it is a movement that showcases India's innovation potential and paves
the way for a stronger, more self-reliant startup ecosystem. The way the
startup community, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders have come
together to make this event a success is truly commendable. The overwhelming
response to this edition of Startup Mahakumbh is a testament to India's
thriving entrepreneurial spirit.”
The opening day
featured sectoral pavilions that focused on AI, Deeptech &
Cybersecurity, HealthTech & BioTech, AgriTech, Energy & Climate Tech,
Incubators & Accelerators, D2C, FinTech, Gaming & Sports, B2B &
Precision Manufacturing, Defence & Space Tech and Mobility. Each pavilion
will host sector-based exhibitions, conference sessions, master classes, pitching
opportunities, roundtables, etc., to facilitate global exposure and
opportunities for startups.
The D2C segment held
one of the key highlights of the inaugural day. It saw the launch of Good Bug’s
new product - an Advanced Metabolic System, a natural GLP-1
science offering a sustainable and science-backed solution to weight loss in
the presence of Keshav Biyani, Co-founder of The Good Bug, Prabhu Karthikeyan,
Co-founder of The Good Bug, and actress Sameera Reddy.
The pavilion also saw an interesting
Q&A session with Shri Sanjiv Joint Secretary, DPIIT moderated by Archana
Jahagirdar, Founder & Managing Partner, Rukam Capital wherein he spoke
about initiatives, such as MAARG and BHASKAR, and revealed that they have now
committed to INR 91,000 crores in fund of funds, up from last year's INR 10,000
crores.
Additionally, one of
the key features of the day was the report launch by NASSCOM, spearheaded by
Achyuta Ghosh, Senior Director and Head- Insights, who delved deeper into the
way forward for the industry. Alongside this, the Startup MahaRathi Challenge
hosted early to growth-stage startups who pitched their innovative ideas in
front of a respected panel of investors and mentors. The room was charged with
excitement, as startups battled for funds and mentorship resources.
Attendees engaged in
panel sessions, masterclasses, and fireside chats, learning from industry
experts.
The day ended with a mesmerising
performance by Bollywood singer Shalmali Kholgade.
As curtains drew on the fast-paced first day of
Startup Mahakumbh, the intensity and vibrancy of entrepreneurs, investors, and
industry captains hinted at greater discourses, collaboration, and innovations
in the following days. With more interactive sessions, high-stakes
presentations, and policy discussions scheduled, Day 2 is set to further
turbocharge the momentum, with a push towards significant impact for the future
of Indian entrepreneurship.
About Startup Mahakumbh
Startup Mahakumbh is a first-of-its-kind event
bringing together the entire startup ecosystem of India including startups,
investors, incubators and accelerators, and industry leaders from several
sectors. led by FICCI, ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM, TiE, IVCA and Bootstrap Foundation,
and supported by GeM, SIDBI, ECGC, DPIIT and MeitY.
The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh is set to make
a grand return in 2025, building on the tremendous success of its inaugural
edition. The flagship startup event was an extraordinary success, attracting
over 50,000 business visitors engaging with 3000 exhibitors including finest
startups, soonicorns, and unicorns, from 26+ states and 50+ countries. It also
hosted 1000+ incubators and accelerators and 1000+ leading angel investors,
VCs, and family offices.