In a vibrant celebration of India’s innovation surge, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Mr. Piyush Goyal presented the ‘Startup Maharathi’ Awards at the Startup Mahakumbh 2025 held in New Delhi, showcasing the country’s unprecedented startup growth story. The event drew record-breaking attention, with more than 2.3 lakh visitors, a monumental rise from just 3,000 attendees last year, indicating the skyrocketing enthusiasm and participation in India’s startup ecosystem.

Mr. Goyal lauded the 2,400 challengers and 3,000 exhibitors at the Mahakumbh, referring to them as ‘Maharathis’—the warriors spearheading India's startup revolution. His address captured the spirit of ‘Amrit Kaal’, urging young entrepreneurs to dream big, act boldly, and create meaningful impact as India journeys towards becoming a global innovation powerhouse.

This year's edition of Startup Mahakumbh was not only grander in scale but also more inclusive and diversified. A standout feature was the notable 40% participation from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, signifying the rising entrepreneurial spirit beyond metropolitan India. Additionally, the event witnessed strong representation from women-led startups, indicating a positive shift towards gender-inclusive innovation.

₹10,000 Crore Boost: New Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS)

In a major policy announcement during the event, Mr. Goyal declared the approval of a Second Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) worth ₹10,000 crore (US$ 1.17 billion). Out of this, ₹2,000 crore (US$ 234.4 million) is earmarked for disbursement in 2025 through the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). This funding will primarily support startups working in cutting-edge sectors like:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Robotics

• Machine Learning

• Quantum Computing

• Biotechnology

• Semiconductor Design

The fund is aimed at providing early-stage seed support, especially for startups operating at the intersection of technology and impact, thereby nurturing innovation from ideation to scale.

Launch of Startup India Desk and Regional Outreach

Taking accessibility a step forward, Mr. Goyal introduced the Startup India Desk, a dedicated support system to streamline interactions between startup founders and government departments. What makes this initiative revolutionary is that it will be available via a four-digit toll-free number, operational in multiple regional languages, ensuring that language is no longer a barrier to entrepreneurial growth.

This helpdesk is designed to provide guidance on funding, compliance, regulatory approvals, mentorship, and government schemes—a true one-stop solution to address the pain points of startups across India.

Regulatory Reforms for Ease of Doing Business

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to reducing bureaucratic hurdles, Mr. Goyal outlined the significant progress in regulatory reforms that have been achieved. These include:

• Simplification or removal of over 40,000 compliances

• Decriminalisation of many outdated laws

• Encouragement of self-certification and digital filings

He reiterated that the role of government should be facilitation, not regulation, and called upon SIDBI to open support centres in every Indian state to enable localized support for early-stage businesses.

Empowering India’s Future Through Startups

In his keynote speech, Mr. Goyal emphasized that startups are not just businesses—they are vehicles of socio-economic transformation. From job creation and skilling to boosting exports and solving real-world problems, startups are poised to play a central role in India’s vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047.

He added that the startup culture is breaking barriers of geography, gender, and generation, enabling participation from every corner of India. Whether it’s a woman entrepreneur from a small town innovating in biotech, or a youth-led team in a Tier 3 city designing AI-powered solutions, every innovator now has a place on the national stage.

Spotlight on Women and Grassroots Innovators

One of the most remarkable aspects of Startup Mahakumbh 2025 was the inclusion of women-led startups and innovators from grassroots levels. With tailored mentorship, access to funding, and visibility at the event, these entrepreneurs were able to showcase unique solutions in healthcare, agriculture, education, and environment, demonstrating that innovation in India is no longer urban-centric.

This commitment to inclusivity was reflected in multiple panel discussions and showcases at the event, which prioritized equal opportunity and accessibility in the startup ecosystem.

Building the Ecosystem of Tomorrow

The event also served as a platform to connect startups with investors, VCs, policymakers, and industry leaders, facilitating networking, collaboration, and funding opportunities. Several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed, and investment deals were initiated on-site, reflecting the serious business outcomes of this innovation conclave.

In addition to the FFS announcement, there were parallel announcements related to research grants, incubation support, and cross-border partnerships, especially in emerging tech sectors like AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology.

Looking Ahead: India’s Innovation Trajectory

With over 1 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups and counting, India is already the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world. The announcements at Startup Mahakumbh 2025 mark a strategic push to further consolidate India's global leadership in entrepreneurship.

The government’s approach of light-touch regulation, combined with targeted funding, inclusive access, and skills-first education models, will likely accelerate the next wave of unicorns and deep-tech ventures emerging from India.

In conclusion, the Startup Mahakumbh 2025, spearheaded by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, not only celebrated innovation but also laid the foundation for a stronger, more resilient, and equitable startup landscape. With ₹10,000 crore in fresh funding, a dedicated support desk, and a commitment to regulatory reform, India is positioning itself not just as a hub of ideas, but as a global engine of innovation and transformation.

The ‘Startup Maharathi’ Awards are a testament to India’s belief that every entrepreneur is a warrior, shaping the future of the nation—one idea at a time.

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