SIDDHARTH DESAI
A transformation has quiet ly but powerfully added new strength to India’s economic story. Ten years ago, Startup India began as an idea aimed at empowering inno vators with the confidence to dream, the policy backing to build, and an ecosystem to help them grow. A decade later, that idea has evolved into one of the world’s most dynamic startup movements. Today, India boasts the third-largest startup eco system globally, with over two lakh DPIIT-recognised startups and 125 unicorns. Back in 2014, India had barely 500 startups and just four unicorns. However, Startup India is about far more than valuations or billion-dollar headlines. It encompasses building a com plete end-to-end ecosystem for entrepreneurs — from ideation and incubation to funding, men torship and scaling. This move ment reflects a real democra tisation of opportunities, as nearly half of all recognised startups are emerging from tier II and tier III cities, not just metropolitan hubs. Additional ly, initiatives like SVEP, Aspire and PMEGP are supporting ru ral and grassroots programmes, enabling micro-enterprises and women-led ventures. As of De cember 2025, more than 45 per cent of recognised startups had at least one woman director or partner. COVID-19 was a defining moment for humanity, shifting priorities dramatically. The pandemic taught us the impor tance of personal health and wellness. Startups began to understand that growth should not come at any cost; instead, they focused on sustainable unit economics. The emphasis on creating value for custom ers and understanding finan cial sustainability has now be come mainstream within the Indian startup ecosystem. As we progress, the focus remains on building high-impact busi nesses that create value while ensuring financial viability. One of the biggest changes in India’s entrepreneurial land scape is the growing accept ance of entrepreneurship as a viable and respected career path. Talented, risk-taking in dividuals are more willing than ever to pursue their ideas and create impact in their sectors. This shift in mindset has been facilitated by various gov ernment initiatives aimed at nurturing entrepreneurs and providing them with the re sources, regulatory clarity and institutional support they need to succeed. Today, entrepreneurship is recognised as a thrilling but tough journey. A successful entrepreneur must dream big while also having a prac tical plan. Establishing prod uct-market fit is critical: a startup must solve a tangible problem and make a meaning ful difference in people’s lives. Founders must invest time in understanding their customers and iterate on their offerings to ensure scalability and long term relevance. The infrastructure that supports startups has also improved significantly. Dig ital connectivity, along with the creation of digital public goods such as Aadhaar, UPI and ONDC, has allowed entre preneurs nationwide to access previously unreachable mar kets. Where entrepreneurs once worried about the feasi bility of launching from remote locations, they can now build and scale from anywhere, aid ed by digital technology and cloud-based platforms. India has always had an en trepreneurial spirit; the chal lenge lay in providing access to the necessary infrastructure, support and capital. Now, those elements are coming together, creating a more robust and in clusive ecosystem. Role models and success stories abound, inspiring a new generation of founders who can think global ly while solving local problems across diverse sectors such as fintech, healthtech, agritech, climate tech and education. Furthermore, organisations and incubators actively con tribute by nurturing promising startups through mentorship programmes, workshops and funding opportunities. This collective effort fosters a cul ture where innovation thrives and entrepreneurs learn from one another. Network ing events, startup expos and demo days are becoming com monplace, allowing founders to pitch their ideas, gain visibil ity and attract potential inves tors and strategic partners. The emphasis on innovation, especially in deep tech and other areas of national impor tance, must continue. Despite the challenges of securing long-term capital flows for deep-tech solutions, the poten tial for large-scale companies to solve complex problems for both India and global markets is immense. The government’s recent initiatives, such as ded icated funds for deep tech and R&D-driven startups, are steps in the right direction. Equally significant is the role of educational institutions in this ecosystem. Universities and col leges are increasingly integrat ing entrepreneurship into their curricula, fostering a mindset of innovation among students at an early stage. Collaborations between academia and industry are essential for nurturing tal ent, accelerating research com mercialisation and equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with fu ture-ready skills. In addition to formal educa tion, boot camps and training programmes are becoming es sential for developing practical skills. These initiatives provide hands-on experience, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world ap plication. Young entrepreneurs are encouraged to participate in hackathons and competi tions that challenge them to solve real problems, strength ening their problem-solving abilities and encouraging crea tive thinking. Indeed, the collaborative spirit among startups, govern ment agencies, academia, in vestors and corporate partners is vital for long-term success. This network not only accel erates the growth of individual startups but also contributes meaningfully to job creation, innovation and national eco nomic resilience. This 10-year journey of Startup India has exemplified what happens when ideas meet intent and policies align with possibilities. As we step into the next decade, the message resonates even more strongly: build for India, build from any where, and build for the world. Looking ahead, startups have a crucial role to play in achieving our economic aspira tions. As we chase the $5 tril lion GDP milestone, a sustained focus on innovation, inclusion and responsible growth will be key. We are in an exciting phase of development, with a vibrant ecosystem ready to support new ventures. The potential for startups to create impact, gen erate employment and drive economic progress has never been greater. In this dynamic landscape, innovation remains the catalyst that will fuel In dia’s growth story, paving the way for a more prosperous and resilient future for all. (The author is an advocate by profession.)
