New Delhi, Jan 15 (NationPress) Tomorrow, on January 16, India will celebrate National Startup Day, marking a significant ten years for startups that serve not only as economic engines but also as lasting representations of India’s innovation-driven growth narrative.

In alignment with India’s vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047, this movement has profoundly transformed the country’s entrepreneurial and innovation landscape.

Startups have emerged as pivotal drivers of economic change, fueling technological advancements, enhancing productivity, generating extensive job opportunities, improving financial inclusion and digital access, and fostering grassroots entrepreneurship.

Led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this initiative has transitioned from a policy-oriented framework to a robust, multi-faceted platform that backs startups at every phase, from idea generation to scaling.

This evolution is reflected in India’s thriving startup ecosystem, which has grown from just four privately-owned companies valued over $1 billion in 2014 to more than 120 such firms today, boasting a collective valuation of over $350 billion.

Since its inception on January 16, 2016, the Startup India initiative has evolved into one of the world’s largest and most diverse entrepreneurial ecosystems.

As of December 2025, India boasts over two lakh DPIIT-recognized startups, solidifying its position as a leading global hub for innovation, employment generation, and inclusive growth.

Women-led startups are a notable aspect of this ecosystem, with 45 percent of recognized startups having at least one female director or partner as of December 2025.

Moreover, startups are no longer limited to metropolitan areas; nearly half originate from Tier-II and Tier-III cities, illustrating the democratization of entrepreneurship.

Additionally, several government-backed initiatives have bolstered this growth. The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), managed by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), has provided support to over 140 Alternative Investment Funds, which have invested more than Rs 25,500 crore in over 1,370 startups.

Furthermore, the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) has facilitated Rs. 800 crore in collateral-free loans to more than 330 startups.

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) has allocated Rs. 945 crore to over 215 incubators, aiding proof-of-concept, prototyping, and market entry.

There’s also the Startup India Hub, a digital platform connecting entrepreneurs with investors, mentors, and incubators.

The States’ Startup Ranking Framework (SRF) promotes competitive federalism by assessing states and union territories based on their startup-friendly policies.

The Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience and Growth (MAARG) Mentorship Portal serves as a comprehensive resource for startup mentorship, while the Investor Connect Portal connects startups with venture capital funds to streamline fundraising.

Beyond Startup India, sector-specific initiatives have strengthened the ecosystem, including the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), which has set up over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs across 733 districts, involving 1.1 crore students in projects related to AI, robotics, and IoT, with Rs 2,750 crore allocated until 2028.

AIM 2.0 now focuses on vernacular innovation centers, pioneering programs for Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, and deep-tech commercialization.

Moreover, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched a deep-tech platform, GENESIS, in 2022 to scale 1,600 startups in Tier-II/III cities with Rs. 490 crore in funding.

Meanwhile, the MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) is supporting over 6,148 startups, 517 incubators, and 329 labs across the nation.

The Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE) 2.0 Scheme aims to promote Information and Communication Technology-driven entrepreneurship in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and clean technology.

Lastly, the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) by the Department of Science and Technology has already created 1.3 lakh jobs, supported over 12,000 startups, and backed more than 175 incubators.

Rural-focused initiatives such as the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme, A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industries, and Entrepreneurship, and The Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme are also fostering micro-enterprises, grassroots innovation, and self-employment.

Indian startups are increasingly partnering with corporations and multinationals, enabling technology transfer and global market integration. As India aims for a projected $7.3 trillion economy by 2030, startups are set to remain crucial to its developmental journey. The government’s emphasis is shifting from rapid growth to sustainable scaling and deeper integration with the real economy.