NEW DELHI: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal launched the second edition of ‘Startup Mahakumbh’ today, January 16, on National Startup Day.
The event is scheduled at Bharat Mandapam from April 3 to April 5.
Boat CEO Aman Gupta (L) Union Minister Piyush Goyal (R) Photo by: Ritik
Celebrating the ninth year of Startup India, Goyal stated: “From just 400 startups nine years ago to over 1.57 lakh startups today, spanning digital tech, fintech, health tech, AI, and more, we now boast 118 unicorns. Strong macroeconomic fundamentals, visionary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to innovation have supported this remarkable growth.”
Addressing the audience, Goyal said, ” Last year’s Startup Mahakumbh was a pivotal moment for the ecosystem, showcasing India’s capabilities and aspirations to the world as we strive to become a developed nation by 2047.”
Acknowledging the growing role of women entrepreneurs in the startup ecosystem, Goyal added: “The increasing role of women in the economy has also powered India’s transformation. Today, 43% of STEM graduates are women, and nearly half of the startups have a woman co-founder or director.”
Advocating the vision of PM Narendra Modi, he further remarked: “The Prime Minister ensures that every project is thoughtfully planned, leaving no room for criticism from venture financiers or international funding bodies about wasteful expenditure. Whether it’s building infrastructure, improving railways, doubling airports, enhancing port capacity, or creating landmarks like the Statue of Unity, every initiative contributes to economic growth.”
Reiterating the vision for 2047, Goyal concluded: “As we look toward celebrating 100 years of independence in 2047, India will undoubtedly reach new heights. No one will be able to stop this nation from achieving its destiny.”
Notable personalities attended the event, including Jitin Prasada, Amardeep Singh Bhatia, the secretary of DPIIT, Satya Srinivas, the CEO of GEM, and Sanjeev, the Joint Secretary.
Manoj Mittal, CMD of SIDBI, was also present, emphasizing government funding initiatives to support startups.
Goyal also recognized the contributions of Sumit Charangal in managing Startup India initiatives and Prashant for his significant contributions. Leaders such as Sanjeev Pichandani and Archana Jhangidhar were lauded for innovative programs like the Finland-inspired Slush Program.
Khusboo Kumari
Khushboo Kumari is a journalist with The New Indian and an avid storyteller, skilled in writing satirical critiques.
