On National Startup Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated the tenth anniversary of the Startup India initiative, reflecting on its transformative journey from its inception in 2016 to its current status as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Addressing startup founders, innovators, and young entrepreneurs at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the Prime Minister hailed the initiative as a "defining movement of New India," emphasizing that it has evolved beyond a government scheme to become a nationwide revolution fueled by the ambition and imagination of India's youth.
Launched in 2016, Startup India has become a cornerstone of India's economic and innovation landscape, propelling the country to the position of the world's third-largest startup ecosystem within a decade. The number of startups has dramatically increased from fewer than 500 in 2014 to over two lakh recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The Prime Minister noted the substantial increase in the number of unicorns from just four to nearly 125, with Indian startups increasingly launching IPOs, generating employment, and attracting global investor interest. A remarkable 44,000 startups were registered in 2025 alone, marking the highest number in a single year and highlighting the accelerating momentum of the ecosystem.
The success of the Startup India initiative can be attributed to several factors, including a large consumer base, supportive government policies, increased venture capital funding, and a growing entrepreneurial spirit among the younger generation. Government initiatives such as Startup India, Make in India, and the creation of digital public infrastructure have fostered a supportive environment for entrepreneurship. Schemes like "Startup India" and tax exemptions have played a crucial role in creating a more favorable environment for new ventures. Moreover, the establishment of a strong network of incubators and accelerators has further supported the growth of startups.
India's startup ecosystem is not only expanding in scale but also in scope, with startups now active in over 50 sectors, including deep tech, artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, agri-tech, space tech, drone technology, aerospace, and rocket technology. Startups are making significant contributions across essential and high-impact sectors of the economy. Furthermore, the startup revolution is spreading across the country, with nearly 50% of startups originating from Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
The Indian startup ecosystem has also seen significant improvements in gender parity. Government schemes like the MUDRA scheme, which offers collateral-free loans to small businesses, have played a major role in narrowing the gap between male and female entrepreneurs. Over 69% of beneficiaries of this scheme have been women. Additionally, the Jan Dhan scheme has promoted financial inclusion for women by making it easier to open bank accounts.
Looking ahead, the Indian government is committed to further strengthening the startup ecosystem. The government constituted a Fund of Funds worth ₹10,000 crore in 2016 to provide seed capital and enable startups to take calculated risks. Following the successful utilization of the first tranche, a second tranche of ₹10,000 crore was sanctioned in the last Union Budget. The government aims to deploy a significant portion of this fund in deep tech and high-tech sectors to further encourage youth entrepreneurship. Moreover, the Prime Minister has announced a ₹1 lakh crore fund dedicated to research, development, and innovation, which will support researchers, scientists, and startups in undertaking advanced research in deep tech at par with global standards.
As India celebrates a decade of the Startup India initiative, the nation reflects on the remarkable progress made and reaffirms its commitment to fostering innovation-led development. With a strong foundation in place, India is poised to further strengthen its position as a global hub for startups, driving economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement.
