NID Gandhinagar gets new Innovation Centre; Gujarat has 16,000 startups, says CM Patel
Synopsis
A new Incubation and Innovation Centre at NID Gandhinagar — inaugurated by Amit Shah — puts a spotlight on Gujarat's design-and-startup ambitions. With 16,000 active startups and NID's graduating class growing from 35 to 400 in 25 years, the state is betting that design thinking, not just manufacturing, will define its next growth chapter.
Key Takeaways
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the new Incubation and Innovation Centre at NID Gandhinagar on 17 May 2025 .
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel said the state hosts around 16,000 startups and has won the 'Best Performer State' award for its startup ecosystem.
NID's annual graduating class grew from 35 students in 2000 to over 400 by 2025 , following its elevation to an 'Institute of National Importance' under the NID Act, 2014 .
India's startup count has surged from fewer than 500 to nearly 2 lakh over the past decade, making it the world's third-largest startup ecosystem .
Union Minister Piyush Goyal urged students to focus on semiconductors , artificial intelligence , and space technology in pursuit of Viksit Bharat @2047 .
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday, 17 May reaffirmed his government's commitment to nurturing youth talent and design-led innovation, speaking at the inauguration of a new Incubation and Innovation Centre at the National Institute of Design (NID) in Gandhinagar. The facility was inaugurated by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, in the presence of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Jagdish Vishwakarma.
What CM Patel Said
Addressing the gathering, Patel described creativity, innovation and design as forces that would determine how nations compete globally in the 21st century. He called NID a symbol of India's creative capabilities and said the new centre would serve as a launchpad for young designers and entrepreneurs.
'The state government is committed to encouraging the talent, innovation and creativity of youth power. Gujarat's entrepreneurial culture has contributed to the growth of startups in the state, with around 16,000 startups currently operating,' Patel said. He added that this ecosystem had earned Gujarat the 'Best Performer State' award.
NID's Growth Since 2014
Patel pointed to the National Institute of Design Act, 2014 — enacted shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office — which granted NID the status of an 'Institute of National Importance'. He credited the legislation with driving significant institutional growth. Around 35 students graduated from NID in 2000; by 2025, that number had crossed 400.
Patel also invoked Modi's 'Design in India, Design for the World' vision, noting that design had become integral to flagship programmes including Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Viksit Bharat. He described NID as a 'global brand' where students blend Indian culture, tradition, and modernity to produce designs with international relevance.
India's Startup Surge
Patel noted that India's startup ecosystem had expanded sharply over the past decade — from fewer than 500 startups to nearly 2 lakh. He expressed confidence that the new incubation centre would become a key platform for designers and startups in emerging sectors, adding that the facility would 'contribute to design development from chip to ship.'
Goyal's Push for Viksit Bharat
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, also addressing the event, said innovation, design thinking, and entrepreneurship were central to achieving Viksit Bharat @2047. He noted that India had emerged as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem and urged students to target high-growth sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and space technology.
The inauguration signals a broader push to position Gandhinagar — already home to the GIFT City financial hub — as a node for design and deep-tech innovation in western India. How effectively the new centre translates institutional infrastructure into market-ready ventures will be the measure of its impact.
Point of View
000-startup figure is frequently cited by the government, yet the state's share of high-valuation, globally competitive design-led ventures remains modest relative to Bengaluru or Pune. NID's graduation numbers tell a genuine growth story — a 10x rise in 25 years — but design education and design commercialisation are different challenges. The 'chip to ship' framing is aspirational; the centre's real test will be in how many ventures it helps cross the valley of death between prototype and product.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new Incubation and Innovation Centre at NID Gandhinagar?
It is a newly inaugurated facility at the National Institute of Design (NID) in Gandhinagar, designed to support young designers and startups in translating ideas into market-ready ventures. The centre was inaugurated on 17 May 2025 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
How many startups are currently operating in Gujarat?
According to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, around 16,000 startups are currently operating in the state. He attributed this growth to Gujarat's entrepreneurial culture and said the ecosystem had earned the state a 'Best Performer State' award.
What is the significance of the NID Act, 2014 for the institute?
The National Institute of Design Act, 2014 granted NID the status of an 'Institute of National Importance,' strengthening its institutional standing. CM Patel credited the legislation with driving a significant rise in student numbers — from around 35 graduates in 2000 to over 400 by 2025.
What is India's current rank in the global startup ecosystem?
India is the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, according to Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who spoke at the NID inauguration event. The country's startup count has grown from fewer than 500 a decade ago to nearly 2 lakh.
Which sectors did Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlight for students at NID?
Goyal urged NID students to focus on semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and space technology as priority sectors. He said innovation, design thinking, and entrepreneurship were central to achieving the Viksit Bharat @2047 goal.
