Government Strengthens Startup Ecosystem with Multi-Stage Funding and Support Schemes

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

As on 31st January 2026, a total of 2,12,283 entities have been recognised as startups by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Of the total entities recognised as startups, 1,02,054 entities have at least one-woman director/partner.

As on 31st January 2026, a total of 2,12,283 entities have been recognised as startups by DPIIT. The data with respect to status of entities (active, dissolved, struck-off, etc.) is maintained by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) on a cumulative basis. As per the MCA, 6,789 recognised startups are categorized as closed (i.e., dissolved/struck-off). Of the total number of entities which are categorized as closed (i.e., dissolved/struck-off), 2,950 have at least one-woman director/partner.

Under the Startup India initiative, the Government is implementing flagship Schemes such as Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) to support startups across categories at various stages of their business cycle.

FFS has been established to catalyse venture capital investments and is operationalized by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), which provides capital to Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) which in turn invest in startups. As on 31st January 2026, supported AIFs under the Scheme have invested around Rs. 25,859 crore in selected startups. Further, from 2020 onwards, around Rs. 2,995 crore have been invested in women-led startups by AIFs under the Scheme, as on 31^st January 2026.

SISFS provides financial assistance to seed stage startups through incubators. SISFS is implemented from 1st April 2021. As on 31st January 2026, selected incubators under the Scheme have approved funding of around Rs. 592 crore to selected startups, of which funds of around Rs. 294 crore have been approved to women-led startups.

CGSS is implemented for enabling debt funding to startups through eligible financial institutions. CGSS is operationalized by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) Limited and has been operationalized from 1^st  April 2023. As on 31st January 2026, loans amounting to around Rs 925 crore have been guaranteed to startup borrowers, of which loans amounting to around Rs 39 crore have been guaranteed to women-led startups.

The total number of startups selected and the total number of startups that are categorized as closed (i.e., dissolved/struck-off) as per the MCA, under the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) are as follows:

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Shri Jitin Prasada in Lok Sabha today.

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ANNEXURE-I

The State/UT-wise and year-wise number of entities recognized as startups that have at least one-woman director/partner, as on 31^st January 2026, are as under:

ANNEXURE-II

The State/UT-wise details of the total number of entities which are categorized as closed (i.e., dissolved/struck-off) as per the MCA with at least one woman director/partner are as follows:

ANNEXURE-III

The year-wise details of funds invested in startups by AIFs supported under the FFS, as on 31^st January 2026, are as under:

*Note: Data on investment in women-led startups is available from 2020.

ANNEXURE-IV

The year-wise details of funds approved to startups by incubators selected under the SISFS, as on 31^st January 2026, are as under:

ANNEXURE-V

The year-wise details of loans guaranteed to startups under the CGSS, as on 31^st January 2026, are as under:

 

Women representation in startups highlighted as government schemes channel targeted funding and guarantees to women-led ventures. Women representation in DPIIT recognised startups is quantified alongside MCA corporate status data identifying closed entities with female participation. Government support schemes-FFS, SISFS, and CGSS-are described with scheme mechanics, cumulative amounts channelled through AIFs, incubators, and guarantee arrangements, and specified allocations reported to women led startups. Scheme selection counts and corresponding numbers of supported startups later categorized as closed are tabulated, while State/UT and year wise annexures detail recognised and closed entities with at least one woman director/partner.