Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with members of India’s dynamic startup ecosystem on Friday in New Delhi, marking ten years of the transformative ‘Startup India’ initiative.
Launched on 16 January 2016, the programme was designed to nurture innovation, promote entrepreneurship, and enable investment-driven growth, to make India a nation of job creators rather than job seekers.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stated that select startup representatives will share insights from their entrepreneurial journeys, while PM Modi will address the gathering to reflect on the decade-long progress of the initiative.
Over the past ten years, India’s startup ecosystem has witnessed unprecedented expansion, with more than 2,00,000 startups recognised across the country.
These enterprises have emerged as significant drivers of employment generation, innovation-led economic growth, and strengthening domestic value chains across diverse sectors.
Startup India as a Pillar of Innovation
‘Startup India’ has become a cornerstone of India’s innovation architecture.
The initiative has strengthened institutional mechanisms, expanded access to capital and mentorship, and created an enabling environment for startups to scale across geographies and sectors.
Last week, PM Modi urged startups to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for societal good during a roundtable at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
He encouraged entrepreneurs to ensure that AI solutions remain affordable, inclusive, and transparent, emphasising the role of technology in driving sustainable development.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) reports that 2,01,335 startups have received incentives under the ‘Startup India’ initiative, generating over 21 lakh jobs nationwide.
Domestic patent filings by Indian innovators surged by 425 per cent between 2014 and 2024, while India’s ranking on the Global Innovation Index improved to 38th in 2025.
Analysts note that the initiative has not only bolstered economic growth but also enhanced India’s global standing in innovation and entrepreneurship, providing a platform for the next generation of business leaders to thrive.
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