Under the Startup India initiative, the Government constantly undertakes various efforts for the development and growth of the startup ecosystem and to enhance job creation in the country. Entities recognised as startups by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as per eligibility conditions prescribed under G.S.R. notification 127 (E) dated 19th February 2019 has reportedly created over 16.6 lakh direct jobs across more than 55 varied industries which include areas beyond technology as well.

Industry-wise details of direct jobs created by entities recognised as startups by DPIIT as of 31^st October 2024 (self-reported):

The flagship Schemes namely, Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) support startups at various stages of their business cycle. The Government also implements periodic exercises and programs including States’ Startup Ranking, National Startup Awards, and Innovation Week which play an important role in the holistic development of the startup ecosystem. Initiatives to improve market access and enable public procurement support startups in growing and scaling up their businesses. Digital platforms such as the Startup India Hub portal and Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) enable easy access to resources and startup ecosystem collaboration. These measures are complemented by regulatory reforms and other ecosystem development events and programs.

The Government with an intent to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation, startups and encouraging investments in the startup ecosystem of the country launched the Startup India initiative on 16th January 2016.

For effective implementation of Startup India initiative across the country, the Government unveiled Startup India Action Plan comprising of schemes and incentives envisaged to create a vibrant startup ecosystem in the country. The Action Plan comprises 19 action items spanning across areas such as “Simplification and handholding”, “Funding support and incentives” and “Industry-academia partnership and incubation”.

These programs are implemented on a Pan-India basis with certain specific outreach and awareness measures for tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Such measures inter-alia include capacity building and handholding, ecosystem development and international linkages.

The details of various measures being undertaken to ensure that the benefits of the Startup India initiative are effectively reaching startups across the country:

Capacity Building and Handholding

Capacity building workshops are undertaken throughout the year across regions including non-metro cities under the States’ Startup Ranking (‘SRF’) exercise to promote and handhold States and UTs in developing regional ecosystems. Monitoring, capacity development, and handholding sessions are also conducted specifically for incubators beyond metro cities and regions.

Outreach and Awareness

Outreach and awareness activities for startups are organized across the country including in areas beyond metropolitan cities. These activities include encouraging entrepreneurs from non-metropolitan cities and enabling opportunities for funding, incubation, mentorship and business linkages in collaboration with State/UT administrations. Various startup showcases are also organised where startups pitch their business proposals to investors and participate in capacity building activities. The programs implemented under the Startup India initiative are also propagated through various social media platforms.

Ecosystem Development Events and Programs

Various national ecosystem development events and programs are held such as the Startup Mahakumbh, which fosters innovation and entrepreneurship by bringing the ecosystem together from various parts of the country; ASCEND (Accelerating Startup Caliber & Entrepreneurial Drive) sensitization workshops on startups and entrepreneurship are conducted across North Eastern States to support upcoming entrepreneurs from the region; and the Startup India Innovation week is held around the National Startup Day i.e., 16th January, to celebrate entrepreneurship and promote innovation with stakeholders from across India.

International Exposure and Linkages

The Startup20 Engagement Group was institutionalised under India’s G20 Presidency to facilitate harmonisation and cross collaboration amongst the largest global economies. The meetings and engagements of Startup20 Engagement Group under India’s G20 Presidency were held across the country providing access to global market, visibility and resources of India’s regionals startup ecosystems. International linkages are further developed through international Government to Government partnerships, participation in international forums, hosting of global events, and international bridges with different countries that aid in promoting cross collaboration.

Encouraging Ecosystem Collaboration

The Government launched the Startup India Hub portal for stakeholders of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in India to discover resources, information, and various benefits under the Startup India initiative on a common digital platform. This portal enables various programs and initiatives to be accessed digitally, improving accessibility for entrepreneurs and startups even from non-metro cities and regions. Further, the Government has launched the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) which is a platform designed to centralize, streamline, and enhance collaboration among key stakeholders within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, which is enabling startups and entrepreneurs from non-metro cities and regions to connect with the larger startup ecosystem.  

This information has been provided by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.