Top Startup News: National Startup Day Special & More Startup Updates!

Top Startup News: National Startup Day Special

Hon’ble Prime Minister Marks a Decade of Startup India, Celebrates Youth Innovation

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 10-year celebration of Startup India, highlighting India’s rise as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. He praised the youth’s focus on solving real problems, noting the surge from fewer than 500 startups to over 2 lakh, and nearly 125 unicorns in a decade. He emphasized that risk‑taking is now mainstream and that Startup India has democratized entrepreneurship across Tier‑2, Tier‑3 cities, and villages. He underscored the role of women founders, supportive reforms, funding mechanisms, and the need for startups to now focus on manufacturing, deep tech, and future-ready sectors. He set a goal for India to lead global startup trends and technology in the next decade, backed by the IndiaAI Mission’s 38,000+ GPUs, and pushes in semiconductors, green hydrogen, space and defence.

Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal Highlights Rising Youth Confidence at ‘Startup Pe Charcha’

Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal emphasized the growing self-confidence of India’s youth, noting their increased willingness to take risks and pursue entrepreneurship. Speaking at ‘Startup Pe Charcha’ at Bharat Mandapam, he highlighted opportunities in tourism and skill development, stressing the need for ongoing training in AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. He mentioned that the recent FTAs are opening global markets for Indian startups and encouraged international collaborations. He also pointed to strong momentum in deep‑tech, supported by the government’s second ₹10,000‑crore Startup Fund of Funds, and noted that India’s space startup ecosystem now has 350+ startups valued at over USD 2 billion.

Karnataka Sharpens Deep Tech push with ₹570-Crore Startup Policy, New Funds

Karnataka has launched its Startup Policy 2025–30, committing ₹570 crore to strengthen deep‑tech and science-led entrepreneurship while decentralising innovation beyond Bengaluru. The policy aims to create 25,000 startups by 2030, with at least 10,000 expected to emerge from clusters outside capital city. It focuses on frontier technologies including AI, blockchain, quantum computing, biotechnology, spacetech and sustainability. The state introduced ELEVATE NxT, a ₹150‑crore non‑dilutive grant programme, and a ₹75‑crore Beyond Bengaluru Cluster Seed Fund to boost regional hubs. At the launch, A total of 146 startups were recognised across ELEVATE 2025, ELEVATE Unnati and ELEVATE Minorities, with committed grants of ₹38.85 crore, reinforcing Karnataka’s push for inclusive, innovation-driven growth across sectors.

Delhi Government to Legalise Co‑Working Spaces to Strengthen Startup Ecosystem

The Delhi government is planning to legalise co‑working spaces across the city to support startups and small businesses. Although such spaces already operate, they lack formal recognition, pushing many early‑stage ventures to Noida and Gurgaon. The proposal will allow government and private property owners to rent units as co‑working spaces, coaching centres, or meeting zones with 24×7 flexibility, helping entrepreneurs access affordable, centrally located workspaces. Officials say this move will boost income for property owners and reduce paperwork. Industry leaders have welcomed the step, noting it aligns with Delhi’s Startup Policy 2025, which promotes co‑working, incubation, and innovation infrastructure.

Assam’s Startup Push Accelerates with ₹200 Crore Fund Boosting Youth Innovation

Assam’s startup ecosystem is gaining strong momentum, driven by focused policy support and youth‑led innovation. Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that 615 startups have been incubated under the NEST programme since 2021, providing mentoring, infrastructure, and funding support. The state has also launched a ₹200 crore Assam Venture Capital Fund to back early‑ and growth‑stage ventures and help founders scale without migrating. Initiatives like the Atmanirbhar Assam Abhijan (CMAAA) are empowering thousands of young entrepreneurs through financial aid, skills training, and market linkages. Assam’s ecosystem is expanding across agri‑tech, healthcare, food processing, green enterprises, and education technology, positioning the state as a rising innovation hub.

Ecosystem Development and Institutional Support

India evolves into global startup powerhouse as policy stability drives growth

Industry leaders highlight India’s rapid startup transformation, noting that the country now hosts over 100 unicorns and 73,000 registered startups. They credit the present government for stable governance, removal of regulatory hurdles, and growing global investor appetite. Sanjeev Barnwal emphasized that more than 50% of startups now emerge from Tier II and III cities, supported by the government’s removal of 25,000+ compliances and initiatives such as the ₹10,000 crore fund and abolition of Angel Tax. Nikhil Kamath noted that consistent policymaking has improved India’s global perception, lowering the cost of building companies. Ritesh Aggarwal highlighted leadership with a “solutioning mindset,” while Yashish Dahiya pointed to Digital India and UPI as key enablers of innovation. Prashant Tandon added that JAM trinity and public digital infrastructure are reshaping digital health, with Startup India catalyzing nationwide entrepreneurial ambition.

Gujarat Tops Startup Ecosystem Ranking for 5th Consecutive Year

Gujarat has been ranked the best‑performing state in the 5th edition of the States’ Startup Ecosystem Ranking, reaffirming its position as a national startup leader. The state was recognised for strong institutional support, robust incubation networks, and progressive policies that have enabled the growth of over 200 incubators and 350 grassroots startups, backed by ₹65 crore under its industrial policy. Experts note that Gujarat is rapidly emerging as a deep‑tech and space‑tech hub, supported by initiatives such as the Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP) 2.0, targeted funding, hand‑holding, and specialised testing facilities. Ecosystem leaders expect the state’s strong SpaceTech Policy and expanding innovation infrastructure to further attract deep‑tech and space‑tech startups to Gujarat.

Arunachal Pradesh Emerges as ‘Best Performer’ in Startup Rankings; Nagaland Excels in ‘Best Practices’

Arunachal Pradesh has been named the ‘Best Performer’ in Category B in the 5th States’ Startup Ranking Framework (SRF 5.0), which evaluates states and UTs with populations under one crore. The state was also recognised for ‘Best Practices’ in three reform areas—funding opportunities, innovation and sustainability, and ecosystem capacity building. Nagaland earned the ‘Leader’ tag in Category B, with distinctions in institutional support and market access. This year’s SRF saw record participation, with 34 states and UTs taking part and 24 submitting complete evidence across all 19 action points, reflecting strong national commitment to strengthening startup ecosystems.

Goa Ranked Best Performer Under Category B in Startup Ecosystem

Goa has been recognised by DPIIT as the Best Performer under Category B in the latest States’ Startup Ecosystem Ranking, announced during National Startup Day celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The honour reflects the state’s strong progress across policy support, institutional frameworks, infrastructure, funding access, and innovation‑led growth. Efforts by DITEC and the Startup IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) have helped build a robust ecosystem that supports startups from ideation to scale‑up. The achievement was also acknowledged in the Goa Legislative Assembly, reinforcing the state’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, economic impact, and inclusive, innovation-driven growth.

IIIT‑B Innovation Centre Celebrates Startup Day with Industry Summit

IIIT‑Bangalore Innovation Centre marked Startup Day on 16 January 2026 by hosting a half‑day summit titled “Co‑Creating the Future with Startups and Corporates.” The event, organised in collaboration with MeitY Startup Hub and Startup India, brought together industry leaders, founders, and ecosystem enablers to strengthen corporate–startup collaboration. Key sessions included insights on deep‑tech R&D, innovation strategy, and building sustainable startup ecosystems. A panel featuring experts from Boeing, MathWorks, Bühler Group, and Titan discussed partnership models, commercialization challenges, and opportunities for co‑creating impactful solutions. The summit reinforced the importance of collaboration across industry, academia, and startups to drive future‑ready innovation.

Uttarakhand Earns ‘Leader’ Status in Startup India Ranking

Uttarakhand has been recognised as a ‘Leader’ in the 5th Edition of the States’ Startup Ecosystem Ranking, released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. A Certificate of Appreciation was awarded to the state’s Industries Department on National Startup Day. Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami credited the achievement to the state’s favourable policies, simplified processes, and strong startup ecosystem, highlighting the innovative potential of Uttarakhand’s youth and the government’s commitment to supporting them at every level.

Odisha Slips in Startup Ranking Despite Multiple Initiatives

Odisha has fallen to the ‘aspiring leader’ category in the fifth edition of the States’ Startup Ranking, a decline from its earlier ‘top performer’ position. The drop is attributed largely to delays in submitting required data to DPIIT rather than a weakening ecosystem, according to state officials. The latest ranking marks Odisha’s lowest performance since the exercise began, despite earlier years placing the state among the top performer groups. DPIIT noted gaps in Odisha’s reporting on active policies for young entrepreneurs, though it acknowledged several initiatives, including a bilingual startup portal, inclusive entrepreneurship policies, and increased financial and incubation support. Stakeholders emphasized the need for stronger efforts to uplift the ecosystem, including better policy execution and attracting innovators.

Meghalaya Named ‘Leader’ in National Startup Ecosystem Ranking

Meghalaya has been ranked a ‘Leader’ state in the 5th States’ Startup Ecosystem Ranking, reflecting strong performance in infrastructure support, ecosystem capacity building, and innovation-driven sustainability. The state participated across all six reform areas and 19 action points, showcasing comprehensive commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship. Government initiatives such as PRIME and CM‑ELEVATE, along with startup hubs in Shillong, Tura, and Nongpoh, have supported over 100 registered startups through incubation, mentorship and funding access. Meghalaya has also focused on women-led enterprises and green innovation, reinforcing its emergence as a rising startup hub in the Northeast.

ARISE Punjab 2026 Champions AI‑Driven Innovation for Viksit Bharat 2047

ARISE Punjab 2026, organized by CGC Landran’s ACIC RISE Association in collaboration with Startup Punjab, highlighted the role of AI in addressing high‑impact challenges and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. The two‑day summit featured policy discussions, innovation showcases, and an Innovation Challenge where 40 teams presented solutions in areas like sustainable agriculture, manufacturing efficiency, and market visibility for Punjab-made products. Distinguished guests emphasized AI’s strategic role in governance, defence, and inclusive nation-building. The event also celebrated National Startup Day, spotlighting research-led innovation, mentorship, and ACIC RISE’s support in incubating 125+ startups, reinforcing Punjab’s growing innovation ecosystem.

136 Startups a Day: How Bharat Built One of the World’s Most Stable Startup Ecosystems

India’s startup ecosystem saw record growth in 2025, adding over 50,000 new startups—an average of 136 per day— bringing total registrations to 2.09 lakh, marking the fastest annual expansion in a decade. Strong policy continuity and rising entrepreneurial confidence have contributed to making India one of the world’s most dynamic and sustainable startup ecosystems. Smaller cities now power much of this growth, with 52.6% of startups emerging from Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 regions, reflecting structural decentralisation. Women-led enterprises are also surging, with nearly half of startups having a woman director. As employment rises and closure rates remain among the world’s lowest, India is transitioning from “startup growth” to long-term entrepreneurial resilience.

Innovation and Product Spotlight

Indian AI Startups Expand Overseas as Enterprise Demand Surges

Indian AI startups are accelerating global expansion as enterprise adoption of AI rises sharply. Firms like Gnani AI, CoRover, Wingify, Oriserve, and Clodura AI are strengthening their presence in key markets such as the US, West Asia, Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia, driven by demand for automation, personalisation, and customer‑engagement tools. Gnani AI plans deeper global expansion, while CoRover already earns 20% of its revenue from overseas. Wingify is entering West Asia and Africa after strong traction in 90+ countries. Oriserve derives 40% of revenue internationally with compliance‑grade capabilities, and Clodura AI is seeing strong inbound interest from the US as it scales globally.

Founders Praise Government Support and Deep‑Tech Push at National Startup Day

At the National Startup Day event in New Delhi, startup founders highlighted how government backing has been pivotal in enabling deep‑tech innovation and ecosystem growth. Aishwarya Karnataki, Founder of Glovatrix, shared that her AI‑powered assistive‑tech startup thrived due to over ₹1 crore in non‑dilutive government grants, enabling the development of 5th Sense, a glove that translates sign language to voice, and earning global recognition. Samuel John of mistEO noted that India offers unmatched support for startups, far exceeding many global markets, enabling his weather‑tech firm to collaborate with the Indian Air Force and NABARD. Founders stressed the need for continued patient capital, simplified regulations, and support for moonshot ideas to propel India into global deep‑tech leadership.

Funding and Investment Trends

Weekly Funding Roundup: Indian Startups Raise $254 Million

Between January 12–17, a total of 28 Indian startups raised about $254 million, including 4 growth‑stage and 22 early‑stage deals. Growth‑stage funding reached $91 million, led by Pee Safe ($32M) and Sukino ($31M). Early‑stage startups secured $75.5 million, with Emversity ($30M) and BillionE ($25M) leading. Bengaluru topped city‑wise deals with 12. This week also saw notable M&A, ESOP buybacks, fund launches, and key hirings, alongside shutdowns like Alle and Pync. Overall funding surged 3.4× compared to last week’s $75.36 million.

India Receives USD 51 Billion FDI said Secretary DPIIT

India attracted USD 51 billion in FDI over the last six months, reflecting strong global confidence in its economic and innovation trajectory, DPIIT Secretary Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia said. As part of National Startup Day on January 16, DPIIT will launch 75 Grand Challenges and present 20 National Startup Awards, with over 3,000 participation requests received for the National Startup Day. He highlighted that government's efforts to encourage deeper engagement between corporates and startups, noting that large companies are increasingly interested in collaborating with startups to drive innovation and scale.

LIC’s Strong AUM Creates Headroom for Startup & AIF Investments

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) reported ₹57.23 lakh crore in consolidated assets under management, an 8.9% yield on policyholders’ funds, and a 2.13 solvency ratio, giving it significant capacity to support startup and AIF investments. Addressing LIC’s strategy meet, the DFS Secretary highlighted LIC’s role as a Domestic Systemically Important Insurer, noting its strong shift toward a digital‑first, value‑driven organisation. LIC is expanding non- participating products, strengthening its 14.8 lakh‑strong agency force, and empowering women through the Bima Sakhis initiative. Digital transformation under Project DIVE is underway, with end‑to‑end digital integration targeted by late 2026.

$150 Billion Flows into Indian Startups Over a Decade, Powered by Startup India Reforms

Indian startups have attracted over $150 billion in private investment over the past ten years, establishing India as one of the world’s largest startup destinations. Before Startup India, India ranked 130th in the World Bank’s Doing Business 2016 report, burdened by complex inspections, valuation uncertainties, and the angel tax. Startup India introduced structural reforms—self‑certification for labour and environmental laws, 64+ regulatory reforms, 47,000+ compliances reduced, and 4,458 decriminalised provisions—reshaping the startup lifecycle. These changes normalised risk, eased capital access, opened markets, and strengthened exits, shifting India’s entrepreneurial success from chance to system‑driven design.

From Around the World and Strategic Partnerships

Korea’s Startup Investor Summit 2026 Redefines Venture Capital Beyond Money

Korea’s Startup Investor Summit 2026, to be held in Busan on January 29–30, will unite accelerators, investors, founders, and policymakers to rethink early‑stage funding as more than financial capital. The event—hosted by KAIA— focuses on shifting Korea from policy‑dependent to private‑led investment, marking ten years of the accelerator system. Key themes include LP–GP collaboration, Accelerator Model 2.0, LIPS scale‑up, and AI‑driven startup investment. Stakeholders emphasise that knowledge, experience, networks, and trust now define sustainable innovation. Hosting the summit in Busan underscores Korea’s push for regional innovation decentralisation and stronger global investment connectivity.

Vietnam Launches NIC Scale X to Accelerate Deep‑Tech Startups

Vietnam’s National Innovation Center (NIC), along with the Embassy of Japan, UNDP, Mitsubishi Research Institute, and Plug and Play, has launched NIC Scale X, a deep‑tech accelerator aimed at strengthening Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem. The 13‑week program will support startups across healthcare, clean energy, smart factories, agritech, IoT, and digital infrastructure, with 80% Vietnamese and 20% Japanese participation. Startups will undergo multi‑stage selection, receive targeted mentorship, investor access, and opportunities for Japan‑Vietnam collaboration. Focused on impact‑driven innovation, NIC Scale X aims to boost investment readiness, cross‑border market access, and long‑term ecosystem capacity for Vietnam’s deep‑tech future.

Active Startup India Challenges and Competitions

Strategic Minerals & Magnet Manufacturing Innovation Challenge Launched

The Strategic Minerals, Materials & Magnet Manufacturing Innovation Challenge invites Indian startups, MSMEs, and innovators to develop solutions in advanced magnetic materials, precision engineering, rare‑earth processing, recycling, and circular systems. The initiative aims to strengthen indigenous manufacturing, reduce import dependence, and advance critical material value chains. Eligible applicants may be at any stage—from idea to early commercialization—and must demonstrate innovation and scalability. The challenge focuses on four themes: advanced materials, precision manufacturing, rare‑earth recycling, and sustainable circular systems. Selected participants will receive grants up to ₹5 lakh, along with mentorship and incubation support to accelerate deep‑tech development in strategic sectors.

BATIC 2025: Driving Agri-Tech Innovation for a Sustainable Future

BATIC 2025, the 7th edition of MAGIC’s flagship program, is a national innovation challenge focused on transforming agriculture through technology. It aims to empower startups and innovators to develop scalable solutions in precision farming, automation, climate resilience, sustainable inputs, and digital transformation. Supported by central and state ministries, industry leaders, and CSR partners, BATIC nurtures innovation from Tier 2 and 3 cities. The program offers mentorship, funding, and commercialization support, culminating in a Grand Finale on 14 February 2026 with a ₹6.7 lakh prize pool, connecting top innovators with investors, corporates, and government stakeholders.

Thermo Fisher Launches BioVerse Challenge to Accelerate India’s Biotech Startups

Thermo Fisher Scientific has unveiled the BioVerse Challenge 2025 to fast-track biotech innovation in India. Targeting early and growth-stage startups in biologics, medtech, agri-biotech, and green biotech, the program offers access to advanced technologies, mentorship, and skill-building. Up to 20 startups will be selected as Trailblazers, gaining full access to Thermo Fisher’s India facilities, while 50 Rising Stars will receive expert guidance and collaboration opportunities. The initiative aims to strengthen India’s bioeconomy by supporting scalable, market-aligned biotech solutions. Applications are open until 31 January 2026.

CIMSME Fintech Challenge

The Chamber of Indian Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (CIMSME) launched the Fintech Challenge to discover scalable solutions that help startups and MSMEs prepare bankable business project reports and financial projections. DPIIT-registered startups and Udyam-certified MSMEs can apply by 28 February 2026. The challenge addresses expert support gaps and high rejection rates due to poor financial documentation. Top 25 applicants will receive incubation, mentorship, marketing assistance, and podcast features. Additionally, 100 startups/MSMEs will get IPR support. The challenge includes idea submission and pitch deck evaluation stages. Application end date is 28th Feb 2026.