Are You A Changemaker? National Startup Awards 2025 Opens for Applications

What makes a startup truly stand out in India’s buzzing innovation ecosystem? Is it revenue, reach, or something more? As India marches toward becoming a $5-trillion economy, the government is once again throwing the spotlight on startups that are not just profitable but purposeful. The fifth edition of the National Startup Awards (NSA) is now open for applications — and it could be the opportunity that transforms your venture’s future.

National Startup Award 2025

Launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the National Startup Awards is more than just a trophy on the shelf. This flagship initiative under the Startup India mission goes beyond revenue figures. It celebrates startups that are solving real-world problems, bringing social change, and building for scalability and sustainability.

Since its inception in 2019, NSA has become a respected platform for recognizing India’s most promising startups — the ones that are creating both economic value and societal impact.

An Opportunity for Changemakers

In a country with over 1.75 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups, standing out isn’t easy. That’s where NSA comes in. Winning or even being shortlisted for the National Startup Awards is a stamp of credibility at a national level.

But this isn’t just about prestige. Startups recognized by NSA gain:

• Access to investors and key policy-makers

• Support for scaling through mentorship and government-backed initiatives

• Visibility on both national and international platforms

• Partnerships and funding opportunities

• Invitations to strategic policy-level dialogues and industry events

A Glimpse at the Past Winners Who Made It Big

Startups that have made it through the NSA spotlight have gone on to leave a mark well beyond the awards:

• Innaumation Medical Devices, recognised for their path-breaking work in voice prosthesis, were later featured in the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge and other global platforms.

• Micob, a defence-tech startup, was invited to the prestigious ‘President with Startups’ initiative and successfully secured defence contracts through iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence).

• Blackfrog Technologies developed Emvolio, a WHO-prequalified vaccine carrier. Today, it is used in 16 Indian states and internationally in Kenya, Nigeria, and Fiji — proving how far an Indian innovation can go when it solves a global problem.

These are just a few examples of startups that didn’t just stop at ideation — they scaled their purpose. And NSA helped accelerate that journey.

National Startup Award 5th Edition

Each year, NSA evolves with the startup landscape. The 2025 edition promises to be broader and more inclusive than ever. The awards span sectors such as:

• Agriculture and Allied Services

• Health and Wellness

• Clean Energy and Climate Tech

• Fintech

• Aerospace and Defence

• Education and Accessibility

• Cybersecurity

• And many more emerging categories

The selection process is comprehensive and transparent. It involves eligibility checks, sectoral shortlisting, and final assessment by panels that include industry leaders, investors, academic experts, and government officials. DPIIT collaborates with relevant ministries to ensure the evaluation aligns with national priorities and sectoral focus.

It’s Not Just About Winning – It’s About Being Seen

One of the most underrated benefits of the NSA is the platform it gives to all shortlisted startups — not just the winners. The visibility gained through this recognition has helped many ventures build meaningful collaborations, influence public policy, and expand into new markets.

The National Startup Awards sits at the heart of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision. As the government continues pushing for a five-trillion-dollar economy, initiatives like NSA ensure that startups from every corner of India — from metro cities to Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns — are part of this growth story.

Since Startup India was launched in 2016, the transformation has been remarkable. With government support in the form of tax exemptions, regulatory ease, funding access, and mentoring programs, the entrepreneurial ecosystem has become more accessible than ever. From youth and women entrepreneurs to student innovators and first-time founders, the movement is democratizing innovation in India.

National Startup Award Applications

If your startup is building something impactful — whether in education, sustainability, defence, or digital inclusion — this is your moment to shine. Applications for the National Startup Awards 2025 are now open.

🔗 Apply here

NSA is not just an award — it’s a movement. It’s about creating a bold, inclusive, and sustainable innovation landscape that reflects India’s aspirations and celebrates its changemakers.

So, the question is — is your startup ready to be India’s next big story?