New Delhi, Jan 16 (NationPress) On the observance of National StartUp Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday conveyed his warm regards to all those involved in the startup ecosystem, stating that this day commemorates the courage, spirit of innovation, and entrepreneurial zeal of the citizens of India.

In a post on the social media platform X, the Prime Minister expressed, “Warm wishes to everyone connected with the realm of StartUps on this National StartUp Day. Today holds significance as we celebrate a decade since the inception of StartUp India. This day is dedicated to honoring the courage, spirit of innovation, and entrepreneurial zeal of our populace, particularly the youth who have been instrumental in propelling India’s ascent in the global startup arena.”

PM Modi is set to take part in an event at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi to commemorate ten years of the Startup India initiative.

During this event, the Prime Minister will engage with members from India’s dynamic startup ecosystem. Selected startup representatives will share their entrepreneurial experiences, focusing on challenges, innovations, and their success stories. The Prime Minister will also address the audience on this occasion.

The Startup India initiative was launched on this day in 2016 as a revolutionary national program aimed at fostering innovation, encouraging entrepreneurship, and facilitating investment-driven growth. The initiative was designed to transform India into a nation of job creators rather than mere job seekers.

Over the past decade, Startup India has become a fundamental element of the country’s economic and innovation infrastructure. It has bolstered institutional frameworks, broadened access to capital and mentorship, and cultivated an encouraging environment for startups to expand and thrive across various sectors and regions.

India’s startup ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth during this time, with over 200,000 startups recognized nationwide. These startups have emerged as crucial contributors to job creation, innovation-led economic advancement, and the enhancement of domestic value chains across diverse sectors.

This year, the country will celebrate National Startup Day, marking a historic decade for startups, not just as economic powerhouses but as enduring representations of India’s innovation-driven growth narrative.

In line with India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the movement has significantly influenced the country’s entrepreneurial and innovation landscape.

Startups have become catalysts for economic transformation by spearheading technological advancements and productivity improvements, generating substantial employment opportunities, fostering financial inclusion and digital accessibility, and promoting grassroots entrepreneurship.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has evolved from a policy-centric framework into a comprehensive, multi-faceted platform supporting startups at every stage from ideation to scaling.

This progress is evidenced by India’s thriving startup ecosystem, which has grown from just four privately held companies valued over $1 billion in 2014 to more than 120 such firms today, collectively valued at over $350 billion.

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

With over 200,000 DPIIT-recognized startups as of December 2025, India is now firmly positioned among the top global hubs for innovation, job creation, and inclusive growth.

A notable aspect of this landscape is the presence of women-led ventures, with 45% of recognized startups having at least one female director or partner as of December 2025.

Furthermore, startups are increasingly emerging from Tier-II and Tier-III cities, with nearly half originating from these locations, indicating a democratization of entrepreneurship.

Various government-backed initiatives have supported this growth. With a Rs 10,000 crore corpus managed by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) has facilitated investments exceeding Rs 25,500 crore in over 1,370 startups.

The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) has enabled collateral-free loans totaling Rs 800 crore across more than 330 startups.

Moreover, with Rs 945 crore allocated to over 215 incubators, the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) provides support for proof-of-concept, prototyping, and market entry.

Additionally, the Startup India Hub, a digital platform, connects entrepreneurs with investors, mentors, and incubators. The States’ Startup Ranking Framework (SRF) promotes competitive federalism by ranking states and union territories based on startup-friendly policies.

The Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience, and Growth (MAARG) Mentorship Portal serves as a centralized platform to facilitate mentorship for startups, while the Investor Connect Portal links startups with venture capital funds, streamlining the fundraising process.

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