Startup Conclave 2025: Amit Shah Pitches India’s Entrepreneurial Spirit

The air at Mahatma Mandir carried more than just anticipation today—it buzzed with the energy of ideas, ambition, and the collective will to redefine India’s entrepreneurial journey. When Union Home Minister Amit Shah took the stage to inaugurate the Startup Conclave 2025, it was clear that this wasn’t just another policy-driven gathering—it was a celebration of India’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems.

Organised by the Gujarat State Education Department, the two-day conclave has set a new benchmark by bringing together the movers and shakers of the ecosystem. With over 1,000 startups, 5,000 innovators, 100 industry mentors, 50-plus venture funds, and policymakers from across the country, the event is positioned as a fertile ground for turning entrepreneurial dreams into market-ready ventures. The conclave also showcases 170+ startups from 20 states, spanning everything from agritech to defence, renewable energy to healthcare.

And it’s not just talk. The state government has lined up the signing of 50 MoUs between startups, investors, and financial institutions, alongside the distribution of funding cheques and Letters of Intent—ensuring that the conclave delivers tangible outcomes for young entrepreneurs.

A Platform to Take ‘Mind to Market’

At the heart of the conclave is a powerful theme: “Innovate, Elevate, Accelerate.” Shah, in his keynote, wove this theme into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s oft-repeated vision of transforming ideas into enterprises—“Mind to Market.”

“This Startup Conclave will serve as a powerful platform for Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ‘Mind to Market’,” Shah said, addressing a packed audience of entrepreneurs and students. “Emerging startups will interact with investors and mentors to transform ideas into impactful solutions.”

Shah’s message was clear: the conclave is not a networking event alone; it’s a launchpad where innovation meets opportunity, where bright minds meet capital, and where India’s future job creators take their first confident steps forward.

From a Few Hundred to a Million Dreams

In one of the most striking parts of his speech, Shah reminded the audience of how far India has come in just a decade.

“Before 2014, India had fewer than 500 startups, limited largely to major cities and elite circles. The dream of building a startup was accessible only to a few, with women and marginalised groups having negligible representation,” he recalled.

But the picture today is dramatically different. Since the launch of Startup India in 2016, the ecosystem has exploded, creating over 100 unicorns and lakhs of registered ventures across industries.

Shah also pointed to India’s impressive climb in the Global Innovation Index—from 91st in 2015 to 38th in 2025—as a testament to the energy, creativity, and resilience of India’s youth. “This is a remarkable achievement that reflects the spirit of Indian youth,” he said, drawing loud applause.

Education and Knowledge as the Backbone

For Shah, the story of startups is inseparable from the story of education. He linked the rise of India’s innovation landscape to the New Education Policy (NEP), which places strong emphasis on research and knowledge.

“By creating a vertical for research on the Indian Knowledge System, Modi ji has opened a treasure of wisdom for our youth,” Shah noted. “This strong foundation will enable them to conduct world-class research and innovation.”

His call to young entrepreneurs was direct: embrace the opportunity to move from being job seekers to job creators. “Our startups are solving national challenges, fostering innovation, and providing a platform for creativity,” he said.

Gujarat’s Growing Role in the Startup Story

The choice of Gandhinagar as the venue is symbolic. Gujarat has steadily positioned itself as a hub for entrepreneurship. Shah recalled how the 2023 edition of the conclave had attracted 2,500 startups, including several unicorns.

“This year’s conclave builds on that success, and I am confident it will achieve even greater impact,” he said.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Higher Education Minister Rushikesh Patel echoed Shah’s optimism, underlining Gujarat’s commitment to nurturing innovation. The event also hosts a large-scale exhibition of technologies across agriculture, defence, renewable energy, and healthcare—industries that are increasingly becoming the backbone of India’s growth story.

India’s Global Moment in Startups

The larger narrative of Startup Conclave 2025 is not just about Gujarat or even India’s domestic ecosystem—it’s about positioning the country as a global hub for innovation.

Since 2016, India’s pro-startup policies—focusing on ease of doing business, incubation facilities, access to capital, and mentorship opportunities—have created a fertile environment for new ventures to thrive.

With global investors increasingly betting on Indian entrepreneurs and with success stories multiplying every year, the conclave serves as both a reflection of India’s progress and a promise of what lies ahead.

“This Is Just the Beginning”

For Shah, the conclave was more than just a ceremonial event. He closed his address with a sense of urgency and vision.

“The Startup Conclave 2025 is not just an event but a reflection of India’s innovation-driven future. This is the engine that will power India’s transformation into a global leader in entrepreneurship,” he said.

As the conclave progresses over two days, with entrepreneurs pitching ideas, investors committing capital, and policymakers listening closely, one thing is clear: India’s startup journey has truly moved from the margins to the mainstream. And events like this don’t just celebrate that journey—they accelerate it.