India Marks 10 Years of Startup India: How a Policy Spark Turned into a Global Innovation Movement

Ten years ago, the idea of building a start-up in India was still seen as a brave but risky choice—limited to a handful of metro cities, a few sectors, and a small circle of risk-takers. Today, that perception has completely changed. As India marks a decade of the Startup India Initiative, the country is celebrating not just an anniversary, but a quiet economic revolution that has redefined ambition, innovation, and opportunity for millions.

Startup India: A Decade Long Journey 

What began in 2016 as a policy push to energise entrepreneurship has now grown into one of the world’s largest and most diverse start-up ecosystems. From college campuses and small towns to global markets, Indian start-ups have become a powerful symbol of how ideas, when backed by the right policy support, can reshape a nation’s economic future.

As part of the milestone celebrations, Narendra Modi is scheduled to address around 3,500 start-ups across the country on January 16. The address is keenly awaited by founders, investors and ecosystem enablers, with expectations that the Prime Minister will reflect on the journey so far and outline the next chapter of growth aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Adding to the momentum, National Startup Day will also be observed on January 16 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, where Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will address a gathering of policymakers, founders, investors, incubators, accelerators and students—highlighting how deeply entrepreneurship is now woven into India’s economic narrative.

DPIIT-Recognised Start-ups Cross 2.10 Lakh: A New High

One of the most defining markers of this decade-long journey is scale. India has now crossed about 2.10 lakh start-ups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). According to the Startup India portal, 2,09,514 start-ups have been formally recognised so far, firmly positioning India as the third-largest start-up ecosystem globally.

This milestone is not just about numbers. It reflects the depth and diversity of entrepreneurship spreading across sectors and geographies. Progressive policy reforms, rapid digital adoption, a massive talent pool, a large domestic market and a growing appetite for risk have together fuelled this sustained expansion.

Further strengthening the ecosystem is the Bharat Start-up Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR), which has crossed 6.68 lakh registered users. The platform has emerged as a critical digital backbone, connecting founders with investors, mentors, service providers and ecosystem partners—signalling a shift from isolated innovation to collaborative growth.

From 350 Start-ups to One Every Hour

The transformation over the last decade has been nothing short of dramatic. In 2014, India had roughly 350 start-ups. Today, it has nearly 2.10 lakh DPIIT-recognised ventures, translating into the creation of almost one start-up every hour over the past 11 years.

This growth is no longer confined to tech services or metro cities. Indian start-ups today span agri-tech, health-tech, fintech, ed-tech, climate solutions, defence manufacturing, space technology, SaaS, deep tech and clean mobility. Many of them are solving uniquely Indian problems—at scale.

Equally important is the inclusive nature of this growth. Nearly 50% of recognised start-ups have at least one woman director, marking a significant rise in women-led entrepreneurship. Collectively, start-ups have created over 20 lakh direct jobs, making them a vital engine of formal employment.

Geographically, entrepreneurship has moved well beyond Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai. 40–50% of start-ups now emerge from Tier-II and Tier-III cities, with places like Jaipur, Indore, Coimbatore, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Lucknow and Guwahati increasingly featuring on India’s start-up map. Culturally too, a shift is visible—about 32% of college graduates are now choosing entrepreneurship over traditional jobs.

India’s Growing Global Start-up Footprint

India’s global standing is reflected in its growing list of unicorns. The country is now home to over 120 unicorns, with a combined valuation exceeding $350 billion—a massive leap from just four unicorns in 2014.

While funding activity in 2025 has seen some moderation compared to the highs of 2024, the long-term fundamentals remain strong. A steady pipeline of new ventures, improving exit options, IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, and sustained investor interest continue to reinforce confidence in India’s start-up story.

Global investors increasingly view India not just as a market for scale, but as a source of innovation, particularly in digital public infrastructure, fintech, health-tech and climate solutions.

Policy Backbone: Building a Full-Lifecycle Ecosystem

At the core of this transformation lies a strong policy backbone. Led by DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Startup India has evolved into a full-lifecycle support system—from ideation and incubation to funding, mentorship, market access and scale-up.

Flagship schemes such as the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) have significantly improved access to capital. Digital platforms like the Startup India Hub, Investor Connect Portal and BHASKAR have enhanced transparency and ease of doing business.

The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has further strengthened grassroots innovation through Atal Tinkering Labs and youth-focused programmes. AIM 2.0, launched in 2024, is now focused on scaling proven models and deepening collaboration with states, industry and academia. Rural and grassroots initiatives such as SVEP, ASPIRE and PMEGP have ensured entrepreneurship also drives inclusive development.

Youth, Campuses and the Next Wave of Founders

The decade celebrations have also placed the spotlight firmly on student entrepreneurship. On January 14, Union Minister of State Jayant Chaudhary and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the Campus to Market – Delhi Startup Yuva Festival 2026 in New Delhi.

Organised by the Delhi government, the festival brought together students, educators, investors and founders, showcasing young innovators ready to take ideas to the market. Education Minister Ashish Sood highlighted how Delhi is building an integrated ecosystem from school to higher education, placing skills, innovation and entrepreneurship at the centre.

Currently, over 75,000 students and young entrepreneurs are engaged under the Startup Yuva initiative, with 470+ start-ups under incubation. These ventures have already generated ₹500–600 crore in revenue, creating 4–5 jobs per start-up on average. The Delhi government has also announced a proposed ₹325 crore startup policy over five years, aiming to nurture 5,000 start-ups by 2035.

From Rapid Growth to Sustainable Scale

As India celebrates ten years of Startup India and crosses the landmark of 2.10 lakh recognised start-ups, the story is no longer just about expansion—it is about sustainable scale, deeper economic integration and global leadership.

The next phase will see sharper focus on deep tech, artificial intelligence, climate tech, defence and space technologies. With strong policy support, rising participation from women and youth, and growing momentum in smaller cities and campuses, India’s start-up ecosystem appears poised to shape not just the economy—but the country’s future—for decades to come.