Indian Startup Story: From a Spark to a Revolution - India has 1.70 Lac Startups

Just a decade ago, the word startup in India still raised eyebrows, sounded risky, or at best, was seen as something only IIT/IIM alumni would dare to venture into. But fast forward to today, and India’s startup landscape is not just thriving — it's roaring. The numbers speak for themselves, but the real story lies in the energy, vision, and grit of lakhs of founders who have transformed dreams into disruptive ventures.

In what can be termed nothing short of a revolution, India has now officially crossed 1.70 lakh startups registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). That’s not just a milestone — it’s a mirror reflecting India’s growing appetite for entrepreneurship, innovation, and risk-taking.

According to Startup India, the total number of DPIIT-recognized startups stands at 1,70,211. But behind this number lies a more profound truth: thousands of stories of resilience, failure, perseverance, and success. Whether it's a fintech in Mumbai, a climate-tech venture in Bengaluru, or a health-tech startup in Tier 2 cities like Indore or Lucknow — the startup spirit has truly gone pan-India.

The Rise of a Collaborative Ecosystem: BHASKAR’s Role

What truly powers this ecosystem, however, goes beyond just funding or flashy valuations. It’s the infrastructure and platforms that enable collaboration and scale. One such silent force is BHASKAR — the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry.

Think of BHASKAR as the digital town square for the Indian startup world — a space where entrepreneurs, mentors, VCs, and enablers connect, share, and grow. With a user base of over 5.39 lakh on the Startup India portal, BHASKAR has become an essential cog in the country’s innovation machinery. From knowledge exchange and networking to discovering funding opportunities and compliance ease — BHASKAR is helping startups build smarter and faster.

India’s Unicorn Boom: 115+ and Counting

One of the most visible markers of India’s startup prowess is the meteoric rise in unicorns — privately held companies valued at over $1 billion.

India now proudly boasts over 115 unicorns, making it the third-largest unicorn hub globally, right after the United States (1,024) and China (246). But it's not just about numbers. It’s about the speed and scale with which these ventures have grown.

Let this sink in: Indian startups founded post-2014 are becoming unicorns in an average of just 4.9 years, compared to 6.7 years for those born after 2007 — a sharp 48% reduction in unicorn creation time.

Bengaluru, the tech capital of India, leads with 49 unicorns, followed by Mumbai (17) and Gurugram (10).

When it comes to sectors, consumer-facing startups dominate the list with 59 unicorns, followed closely by enterprise tech (39) and retail (37). This diversity also points to the maturing of the ecosystem — it's no longer just about apps or marketplaces, but about solving real-world problems with scale and speed.

Government Support: A Fresh ₹10,000 Cr Boost

The rise of India’s startup ecosystem isn’t just organic — it's also a result of proactive and sustained policy support.

The Commerce and Industry Ministry has announced a new ₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds Scheme (FFS) aimed at powering the next generation of startups. This second phase of FFS will be managed by SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India), mirroring the successful model introduced in 2016.

What’s notable this time is the strategic focus on futuristic sectors — artificial intelligence, machine-building, and advanced technologies. The government clearly sees startups as not just economic contributors but as national assets for technological sovereignty and global competitiveness.

Easing Compliance: DPIIT-Recognition Pays Off

Regulatory burden has historically been one of the biggest pain points for startups. But the government has made significant strides here too.

Startups recognized by DPIIT enjoy self-certification in compliance with six labor laws and three environmental laws. Moreover, if a startup falls under the ‘white category’ as per the Central Pollution Control Board, they are subject to minimal inspection, letting founders focus more on product, innovation, and growth — rather than paperwork.

What Lies Ahead: India’s Startup Future Looks Global

India’s startup growth story is not just a national success — it’s becoming a global case study. With an unmatched demographic dividend, improving digital infrastructure, a surge in Tier 2/3 city participation, and growing investor interest, India is well on its way to becoming a global startup and innovation powerhouse.

But beyond the data, it’s the human stories that continue to inspire: A homemaker-turned-founder from Jaipur who scaled her D2C brand. A techie from Kochi building world-class SaaS for global clients. A college dropout from Nagpur disrupting logistics. These stories are no longer exceptions — they are the new rule.

As India crosses the 1.70 lakh startup milestone, it’s clear that this is just the beginning. The next wave could very well come from small towns, deep-tech labs, and mission-driven entrepreneurs building for Bharat and the world.