Piyush Goyal Unveils ‘Startup India Desk’ to Power National Startup Growth

At the heart of India’s most celebrated startup gathering — the Startup Mahakumbh 2025 — the air was electric with optimism, ambition, and a shared dream of building something bigger than businesses: building a new India. Amid the sea of young founders, curious investors, and innovation enthusiasts, one announcement stood out — one that promises to transform how startups engage with the government.

On the final day of the grand event, Union Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled a landmark initiative — the creation of a Dedicated Startup India Desk housed within the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. This desk, Goyal said, will function as a national helpline for startups, providing seamless support to entrepreneurs across the country. With a simple 4-digit toll-free number, accessible in multiple regional languages, this helpline aims to remove one of the most cited pain points for startups — access to timely, human support from the government.

From Policy to Proximity: Government Gets Closer to Startups

For years, the startup community in India has called for more accessible and streamlined support from the government. In response, this new Startup India Desk is more than just a helpline — it's a symbol of the government’s intent to be a facilitator, not a regulator.

“We must unlock India’s full potential through facilitation, not regulation. The Government is here to support your journey, not control it,” said Goyal, addressing thousands of attendees at the Mahakumbh.

This move comes at a time when India is positioning itself as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, home to over 100,000 registered startups. With innovation seeping into the heartlands and young entrepreneurs rising from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the need for a central support mechanism has never been more critical.

Big Money, Big Vision: ₹10,000 Cr Deep-Tech Fund Announced

If the Startup India Desk promises smoother government interaction, the second major announcement promises rocket fuel for innovation.

Goyal revealed that the government has approved the second Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), this time with a substantial corpus of ₹10,000 crore. The first tranche of ₹2,000 crore will be released to SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) this year.

What makes this fund special? Its sharp focus on deep-tech. The sectors identified — AI, robotics, quantum computing, biotech, precision manufacturing, machine learning — are not just buzzwords. They are technologies of tomorrow that will determine whether India becomes a tech superpower or a bystander.

“These are high-risk areas where long gestation periods and large capital requirements often deter private investors,” Goyal acknowledged. “Through this fund, we aim to foster indigenous innovation aligned with national priorities.”

From Dreams to Prototypes: Shared Infrastructure for Founders

But money alone doesn’t build a startup. Access to infrastructure, prototyping tools, and early product testing facilities are equally crucial. Recognizing this, the Minister urged SIDBI to establish support centres in every state. These centres will provide basic infrastructure and shared tools for budding entrepreneurs, eliminating the high costs of equipment ownership.

Goyal recalled an incident where a startup had to buy a 3D printer just to experiment and build early prototypes due to the lack of shared tools.

“That’s not how innovation should be. We must create ecosystems where ideas can take shape without such barriers,” he said.

Celebrating the ‘Startup Maharathis’

The Mahakumbh wasn’t just about policy and announcements. It was also a celebration — of grit, determination, and innovation.

Goyal conferred the prestigious ‘Startup Maharathi’ Awards, calling every participant a "Maharathi" — a skilled warrior contributing to India’s startup revolution. And indeed, the numbers back it up.

• 2,400 participants in the Maharathi Challenge

• 3,000 exhibitors at the event

• Footfall of 2.3 lakh — a massive jump from last year’s 3,000

• 40% of applications from Tier 2 and 3 cities

• Significant number of women-led ventures

“Women are taking the lead in India’s development and contributing with great enthusiasm,” Goyal proudly noted.

Startup Mahakumbh: More Than Just an Event

The meteoric rise in attendance at the Mahakumbh is a story in itself. It signals not just growing interest, but a cultural shift — where startups are no longer confined to metros or elite colleges. From college dorms in Indore to women-led ventures in Nagaland, innovation is everywhere. And this year’s Mahakumbh proved it.

The event wasn’t just an exhibition; it was a melting pot of ideas, mentorship, funding conversations, and policy dialogues — a place where unicorn dreams took shape.

The Road Ahead: A Stronger, Simpler Startup Bharat

The Minister wrapped up his address by highlighting the government’s continued push for ease of doing business. With over 40,000 compliances already simplified or scrapped and several outdated laws decriminalized, the message is clear — the government wants to get out of the way so entrepreneurs can build freely.

The announcements made at Startup Mahakumbh 2025 are not just policies; they are promises — to support, to enable, and to walk alongside the innovators building a new India.

As India enters its Amrit Kaal, these steps mark a crucial evolution in the country’s startup journey — from being a land of ideas to a land of execution.

With a dedicated Startup India Desk, a ₹10,000 crore deep-tech fund, a push for shared infrastructure, and thousands of founders being recognized and celebrated — the Startup Mahakumbh 2025 has not just concluded; it has kickstarted a new chapter in India’s innovation saga.

India isn't just building startups anymore — it's building a startup nation.