India’slargest startup event began in New Delhi, bringing together thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders from across the country and abroad.

Dubbed Startup Mahakumbh, the expo is organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry; the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India; and, the Indian government’sDepartment for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

Around 3,000 startups are participating in the three-day event at Bharat Mandapam — the venue of the 2023 G20 summit — where they are presenting their innovations across sectors, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, health, biotechnology, energy, gaming, finance, mobility, defense, Agri-tech and Space-tech.

While inaugurating the massive Startup event, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal urged Indian Investors to strengthen ‘Startup Ecosystem’ with more domestic capital.

He shared: “We need to handhold start-ups that are struggling to succeed”. He highlighted the need for investments in emerging technologies such as robotics, automation, machine learning, 3D manufacturing, and next-generation factories at the inaugural ceremony of this India’s second edition of Startup Mahakumbh.

Minister Goyal also shared that “these innovations are essential for realizing the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047' and establishing India as a global leader in industry and innovation.” He also underscored the evolving role of startups in driving India's economic and technological growth.

Encouraging Indian investors to support the domestic startup ecosystem, he reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. He assured that the government will handhold and support those who face challenges in their startup journey, encouraging them to persevere and try again. He also stressed the need for increasing domestic capital investments, stating that a strong foundation of indigenous investment is crucial to reducing dependency on foreign capital and ensuring long-term economic resilience.

He expressed confidence that with collective efforts, India’s startup ecosystem will continue to thrive and significantly contribute to the nation’s prosperity. He also lauded the organizing committee, sponsors, and participants for their contributions and efforts in making the event a grand success. He called the event as a reflection of India’s changing mindset and expanding innovation ecosystem.

Highlighting India's economic trajectory, Minister Goyal noted that the country, currently the world's fifth-largest GDP, is on track to become the fourth-largest by the end of 2025 and the third-largest by 2027, surpassing Japan and Germany. He credited this growth to India’s robust startup ecosystem, rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, and deep-tech innovations.

He also expressed his aspiration to make the next ‘Startup Mahakumbh’ even bigger, targeting participation from all 770 districts of India. He proposed launching a nationwide competition to identify young innovators from colleges and incubators, ensuring widespread representation and participation in future editions.

The number of companies participating in Startup Mahakumbh, this year, has doubled from its inaugural edition last year. It will also feature exhibitors and delegates from 50+ countries, compared with about a dozen in 2024. To be continuing up till 5th April 2025, the three-day event will witness thousands of startups, investors and international delegates from over 50 countries.

Led by FICCI, ASSOCHAM, IVCA and Bootstrap Advisory & Foundation, the event is to bring leaders from various sectors. The event is set to host over 3,000 startups; more than 1,000 investors and incubators; 10,000 delegates from over 50 countries; and, around 50,000 business visitors.

Theme this year... The theme of the event is ‘Jile Se Jagat Tak’(From District to the World). It is aimed to bring together startups from every corner of India, even from small towns and districts, and connect them with global industry leaders. This will help them grow small-town startups and also encourage to take their business to world level.

Jitin Prasada, the minister of state for commerce, industry, electronics and IT, opened the expo, saying that India had strong policies in place to support the development of the startup ecosystem. “India is ready for the challenge. We have the talent; we have the skills; and, we have an agile government. We’re going to showcase to the world what India is about. Together we will collaborate, work for a better, stronger, creative, and more vibrant India.”

Joint secretary at the DPIIT shared: “At one end we will have a flying taxi made in India on display; at the other we have countries like Korea setting up a pavilion of 11 startups, and Nepal putting up the largest pavilion with one of its startups showcasing a two-stage rocket powered by sustainable hybrid propulsion rocket engines.”

India has about 160,000 registered startups, according to DPIIT data. Among these, more than 100 have achieved unicorn status, which means they are valued at $1 billion or more. With the rapid growth in the sector over the past few years — from 500 DPIIT-recognized startups in 2016 and fewer than 10 unicorns — India has emerged as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, after the US and China.

The development of tech-based startups will drive India’s technological sovereignty. For India to be truly emerging as a developed nation, it must achieve tech sovereignty; a future where it is not just user of technology, but actually creator and builder of technology or transformative technology as it moves forward.

This also means that India is leading in patents, not just platforms; it would be shaping standards, not just following them. It is going to be owning IP (intellectual property) that drives global progress, and the deep tech ecosystem will be the fulcrum of this transformation.

For the first time, tribal entrepreneurs are also getting a chance to showcase their projects and ideas. Over 45 tribal startups are participating in the event, with many supported by top institutes such as IIM Calcutta, IIM Kashipur, and IIT Bhilai. In fact, this second edition of ‘Startup Mahakumbh’ will prove to be a game-changer as it has returned with a bigger, bolder and better vision and agenda.