New Delhi, April 7: Startup MahaRathi Challenge
2025 was launched to recognize and support India’s most promising
DPIIT-recognized startups solving real-world problems through innovation.
Organized under the broader Startup Mahakumbh platform, the challenge created a
structured national initiative to identify high-potential founders across ten
high-impact sectors and empower them with capital, exposure, and investor
access.
The challenge attracted
over 2,000+ applications from all over the country. A rigorous
multi-phase evaluation process, including data sufficiency screening, expert
shortlisting, and virtual jury pitches, led to the final recognition of
over 240 startups. Sectoral jury rounds were hosted by investment
and institutional partners who brought domain depth and market insight to the
process.
The challenge includes 11
problem statements spanning critical domains such as satellite
imagery, maritime domain awareness, cryptography, cybersecurity, signal
analysis, and large language model applications on sensitive data. With
a total outlay of over INR 20 crores, the initiative offers
structured prize money, grant support across three stages, and robust
non-monetary incentives such as technical mentorship, business support, cloud
computing access, and opportunities for post-challenge procurement.
Grant support was awarded to
top startups in each track to accelerate their journey. In every sector,
startups have been awarded grants of ten lakh, five lakh and one lakh. The
program was not limited to financial recognition. To deepen the opportunity,
all recognized startups were invited to participate in curated Speed Dating
sessions with investors. More than 500+ one-on-one investor meetings
were facilitated over two days, with participation from over 250+ venture
capital firms, angel networks, and family offices. These interactions
were structured to match startups and investors based on sector alignment and
funding interest.
Nearly 40% of the total
applications came from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. 80+ startups recognized were led by
women founders or co-founders. Ten startups from India’s emerging
states, including Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Jammu & Kashmir,
were identified for recognition. These numbers underline how India’s innovation
ecosystem is rapidly expanding beyond urban hubs and into the grassroots.
Top Startup Stories Across
Sectors
- ONIBER Software is redefining cybersecurity and forensic
intelligence with AI-powered solutions used by law enforcement agencies.
Their advanced platform detects deepfakes, extracts intelligence from
unstructured data, and improves response time for national security
stakeholders. Their deployment across multiple states marks India’s
leadership in AI-led digital forensics.
- Aegion Aerospace is building high-performance materials
designed for extreme conditions. Their work supports space, nuclear, and
defense innovations with advanced composites that are lighter, stronger,
and thermally resilient, making them globally competitive in strategic
materials.
- Raana
Semiconductors is
supplying mission-critical photonics and laser crystal components to
national research centers including BARC and DRDO. Their in-house R&D
in laser rods and sapphire substrates has placed them at the forefront of
India’s ambitions in self-reliant semiconductors.
- Orange Koi specializes in high-precision component
manufacturing using metal injection molding and additive technologies. Their
products are being deployed in defense, aerospace, and automotive sectors
where reliability and scale are equally critical.
- Akashalabdhi
Aerospace and Defence is
leading indigenous innovation in UAVs and tactical systems. They are
developing critical technologies in missile guidance and aerial
surveillance, enabling India’s push for sovereign capabilities in
aerospace and defense.
- ODL Network is building the foundational
infrastructure for logistics providers through a unified, digital
protocol. Their technology helps integrate India’s fragmented
micro-transport ecosystem with enterprise-grade tools, transforming how
logistics works across the country.
- NAYAN India has developed a globally patented
AI-powered traffic vision system for real-time road and safety monitoring.
Already deployed in public infrastructure projects, their platform
collects and processes visual data to support decision-making in urban
safety.
- Quintinno Labs from Assam is solving range anxiety in
electric vehicles with a portable, trunk-fitted energy backup unit. The
system doubles up as an eco-friendly alternative to diesel generators and
is receiving traction from institutional and enterprise buyers.
- TestAIng is helping large enterprises comply with
responsible AI regulations through its AiEnsured platform. By testing
algorithms for fairness, transparency, and robustness, the platform
supports trust in AI in sectors such as banking, insurance, and
healthcare.
- Saboori Smart
Energies is creating
solar-powered EV charging stations backed by IoT and remote diagnostics.
Their network is live across 150+ locations and helps reduce India's
dependency on fossil fuels by offering cleaner last-mile charging
infrastructure.
Women-led Innovation with
Scalable Impact: Women entrepreneurs from across the country brought bold ideas to
life, addressing deep-rooted challenges in finance, health, and technology with
smart, scalable solutions.
1. Lxme is
India’s first financial platform dedicated to empowering women with investment
tools and financial literacy. With curated mutual fund portfolios, personal
loans, savings challenges, and digital gold options, the platform is making
wealth creation more inclusive and accessible.
2. MeraBills, led
by Piya Bahadur, is helping rural and micro women entrepreneurs manage their
businesses digitally. The app functions offline, supports multiple languages,
and offers integrated tools for bookkeeping, credit access, and inventory
management. It is unlocking new possibilities for first-time women
entrepreneurs across the country.
3. Collearn, founded
by Srishty Jain, is a sports education platform that has trained and placed
aspiring professionals in sports analytics, event management, and commentary.
The startup is building a skilled sports workforce for India’s Olympic
ambitions while increasing gender diversity in the sector.
4. Misya Beauty Tech is
revolutionizing home-based skincare with AI-powered dermatology tools. With
more than 13,000 clients served and a growing network of certified therapists,
the platform is making high-quality skincare accessible while generating
employment across 18 cities.
5. Flixbox Solutions,
co-founded by Ankita Saikia, is helping small creators and institutions launch
video streaming platforms through a plug-and-play SaaS product. Their solution
supports end-to-end customization, hosting, analytics, and monetization for
India’s growing creator economy
Startups from India’s Emerging
States
Startups from regions like
Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Assam, and Sikkim proved that
great innovation is not bound by geography.
- Nibiaa Devices from Manipur has built an IoT and
satellite-integrated platform that powers asset tracking and secure
communication for use in defense, transportation, and remote industrial
operations. Their high-tech hardware and software stack solves real-time
coordination challenges in low-connectivity zones.
- GR8 Sports India, based in Jammu & Kashmir, produces
high-performance cricket bats made from premium Kashmiri willow. Their
ICC-approved equipment has been used in international matches and exported
to over a dozen countries, putting Indian sports craftsmanship on the
global stage.
- Ngurie Organic from Nagaland is transforming soil
health through eco-friendly bio-enhancers. Their products reduce water use
and eliminate chemical fertilizer dependency for floriculture farmers,
while promoting sustainable agriculture across Northeast India.
- Dream Hives from Assam is building India’s first
regional mead brand by fermenting indigenous honey and GI-tagged lemons.
They work directly with local beekeepers and farmers, creating a value
chain that combines craft beverages with rural livelihoods.
- Topview Infolabs from Sikkim operates the OurGuest
platform, which aggregates over 600 homestays and 40+ guided travel experiences
across the Northeast. Their technology supports tourism development while
empowering local communities through sustainable hospitality.
With the conclusion of its
first edition, the Challenge has laid the foundation for a scalable model to
identify and support high-potential startups from across the country.
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. The event is led by
FICCI, ASSOCHAM, IVCA and Bootstrap Advisory & Foundation; and supported by
SIDBI, GEM, ECGC and DPIIT Startup India.
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 48,581 business visitors engaging
with 1306 exhibitors including finest startups, soonicorns, and unicorns, from
26+ states and 14+ countries. It also hosted 300+ incubators and accelerators
and 200+ leading angel investors, VCs, and family offices.
For more information, visit www.startupmahakumbh.org.
Media Contact:
Soumitra Maity – Soumitra.maity@mslgroup.com (+91 7042808985)