Startups Turned India into Global Innovation Powerhouse: PM Modi
Prime Minister addresses National Startup Day programme in New Delhi, says Startup India has become a revolution in 10 years
- PM Modi says India is now the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem
- Calls Startup India a “rainbow vision,” not just a scheme
- Urges startups to focus more on manufacturing and deep-tech innovation
- Highlights rise of women-led startups and mainstream acceptance of risk-taking
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th Jan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the programme marking a decade of the Startup India initiative at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, describing the journey as nothing less than a revolution that has transformed India into the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem.
Speaking on National Startup Day, the Prime Minister said India’s youth are now focused on solving real problems rather than chasing conventional careers. He noted that when Startup India was launched in 2016, there were fewer than 500 startups in the country; today, there are over two lakh recognised startups and nearly 125 active unicorns.
Calling Startup India a “rainbow vision,” Modi stressed that it connects diverse sectors — from agriculture and fintech to space, defence and mobility — with new opportunities. He said risk-taking, once discouraged, has now become mainstream and socially respected.
The Prime Minister highlighted that more than 45 percent of recognised startups have at least one woman founder or director, making India the world’s second-largest ecosystem for women-led startup funding.
PM Modi credited reforms such as decriminalisation under the Jan Vishwas Act, easier mergers and exits, and government platforms like GeM for helping startups scale. He also cited initiatives such as Atal Tinkering Labs, hackathons, incubation centres, and seed funding schemes that have strengthened the innovation ecosystem.
Looking ahead, the Prime Minister urged startups to shift greater attention to manufacturing, deep-tech, and artificial intelligence. He said India will host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026 and is expanding computing capacity through the India AI Mission to support homegrown innovation.
“India’s ambition should not be limited to participation — we must aim for global leadership,” Modi said, adding that the courage, confidence and creativity of startups are shaping the country’s future.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal was among the dignitaries present at the event.
