Total recognized startups cross 2.23 lakh with over 23.36 lakh jobs created; strong growth in funding, credit support and public procurement

The Government has recognized more than 55,200 startups during Financial Year 2025-26, marking the highest number of startups recognized in a single year since the launch of the Startup India initiative.

The Startup India initiative was launched on 16th January 2016 with an Action Plan comprising schemes and incentives aimed at creating a robust ecosystem for nurturing innovation, encouraging private investments, and supporting startups across the country. Various programmes are being implemented to recognize, develop and empower startups.

Since inception, the number of recognized startups has crossed 2.23 lakh as on 31st March 2026, generating more than 23.36 lakh direct jobs. More than 1.07 lakh recognized startups have at least one woman director or partner, accounting for approximately 48% of total recognized startups.

The number of startups recognized increased by 51.6% year-on-year in FY 2025-26 compared to FY 2024-25, while direct jobs created rose by 36.1% during the same period.

Table 1: Startups and jobs spread across the country

Details	FY 2024-25	FY 2025-26
Year-wise no. of entities recognized as startups	36,400+	55,200+
Year-wise no. of direct jobs created by recognized startups	3,66,870+	4,99,400+

Startups are now present across all States and Union Territories. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat have emerged as leading regions in terms of the number of recognized startups and direct employment generation as on 31st March 2026.

Table 2: States and UTs with highest number of recognized startups 

State / UT	Entities recognized as startups as on 31st March 2026	Direct jobs created by startups as on 31st March 2026
Maharashtra	38,660+	4,13,900+
Karnataka	22,600+	2,46,000+
Uttar Pradesh	21,960+	2,11,580+
Delhi	21,120+	2,36,640+
Gujarat	19,270+	2,14,800+
Tamil Nadu	14,830+	1,52,900
Telangana	12,520+	1,36,570+
Haryana	11,620+	1,39,600+
Kerala	8,620+	74,130+
Rajasthan	8,100+	83,100+

The Government continues to support startups through flagship schemes including the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), providing financial support at various stages of the startup lifecycle.

Under FFS, more than Rs. 7,000 crore has been disbursed to over 135 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) by the end of FY 2025-26, which have further invested more than Rs. 26,900 crore in over 1,420 startups. Building on this, the Government has notified Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore.

Table 3: Extensive support under flagship schemes - FFS

Details	FY 2024-25	FY 2025-26
Amount disbursed to AIFs to support startups under the FFS 1.0 (in Rs. crore)	980+	1,039+

The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups has been expanded in FY 2025-26 to enhance capital mobilization by increasing the guarantee cover per borrower from Rs. 10 crore to Rs. 20 crore, enhancing the extent of guarantee cover, and reducing the annual guarantee fee for lenders in identified sectors. By the end of FY 2025-26, more than 410 loans amounting to over Rs. 1,250 crore have been guaranteed.

Table 4: Extensive support under flagship schemes - CGSS

Details	FY 2024-25	FY 2025-26
No. of loans guaranteed to startups	130	135+
Amount of loans guaranteed to startups (in Rs. crore)	305	600+

Under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, 219 incubators have been selected and the entire corpus of Rs. 945 crore has been committed. These incubators have approved funding of over Rs. 605 crore to more than 3,400 startups. The scheme has been extended to enable continued disbursement and completion of approved activities.

Startup-led innovation has also strengthened intellectual property generation, with more than 19,400 patent applications filed by startups. Patent filings increased from over 2,850 in FY 2024-25 to more than 4,480 in FY 2025-26.

Table 5: Increase in patent filing by startups

Details	FY 2024-25	FY 2025-26
Patent applications filed by startups	2,850+	4,480+

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has further facilitated startup participation in public procurement. More than 38,600 startups have been onboarded on the platform.

Table 6: Public procurement to support startup innovation

Details	FY 2024-25	FY 2025-26
Total no. of startups onboarded on GeM	5,140+	6,540+
Total number of orders placed to startups on GeM	1,19,620+	1,40,260+
Total value of orders placed to startups on GeM (in Rs. crore)	14,103+	19,190+

 

Startup India recognition, funding support, and public procurement expand as startup numbers, jobs, and patent filings rise. Government recognition of startups under the Startup India initiative reached a record level in FY 2025-26, with total recognised startups crossing 2.23 lakh and direct jobs exceeding 23.36 lakh. Support continues through the Fund of Funds for Startups, the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups, including expanded guarantee cover, incubator funding, and continued disbursement mechanisms. Startup-led innovation has also grown through higher patent filings and wider participation in public procurement through the Government e-Marketplace.