Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, presented the ‘Startup Maharathi’ Awards on the concluding day of Startup Mahakumbh 2025, held in New Delhi. Addressing a vibrant gathering of entrepreneurs, innovators, and ecosystem enablers, the Minister commended all participants, describing them as true “Maharathis”—skilled warriors driving the momentum of India’s startup revolution.
“Each of the 2,400 participants in the Maharathi Grand Challenge, and the 3,000 exhibitors at Startup Mahakumbh, are on a remarkable journey toward success,” Shri Goyal said, acknowledging the vast talent and energy within the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Encouraging young founders to dream big, he urged them to go beyond present limitations. “The potential you possess will define your contribution to India’s journey during this Amrit Kaal. Let this Startup Mahakumbh inspire aspirations that transcend current realities,” he stated.
Highlighting the event’s unprecedented scale, Shri Goyal noted a significant jump in participation—from 3,000 visitors last year to a record 2.3 lakh this year, underscoring India’s rapid strides in innovation and startup growth.
He also emphasized the inclusive nature of the ecosystem, revealing that 40% of the applicants to the Maharathi Challenge hailed from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, with a notable presence of women-led startups. “Women are emerging as key contributors to India’s progress, leading with dedication and creativity,” he added.
Shri Goyal highlighted the Government’s ongoing reforms to improve the Ease of Doing Business, stating that over 40,000 compliances have been removed or simplified and numerous laws decriminalized, paving the way for startups to operate more freely and fairly.
In a key announcement, the Minister revealed that the Ministry of Commerce & Industry will launch a Startup India Desk, accessible via a 4-digit toll-free number, offering multilingual support and serving as a central helpdesk for startups nationwide.
Further strengthening the startup support ecosystem, Shri Goyal shared that the Second Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS)—with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore—has received approval from Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Of this, ₹2,000 crore will be disbursed this year through SIDBI. A significant portion of this fund will be earmarked for seed-stage funding and support for deep-tech innovations.
“This fund is designed to foster next-generation technologies including AI, robotics, machine learning, quantum computing, biotech, and precision manufacturing,” the Minister said. It aims to address the early-stage capital gap, empowering startups to scale prototypes, conduct R&D, and advance toward commercialization.
By providing patient capital, the initiative seeks to overcome long gestation periods and high investment barriers typical of cutting-edge technology sectors. The Government envisions building a strong pipeline of homegrown innovations capable of meeting national priorities and propelling India onto the global tech stage.
In addition, Shri Goyal called upon SIDBI to set up at least one entrepreneur support centre in every state, equipped with basic infrastructure and shared facilities for startups. Sharing a real-life instance of a startup forced to invest in its own 3D printer due to the lack of prototyping resources, he underscored the need for accessible, shared tools and spaces.
“The Government’s role is to facilitate, not regulate,” he emphasized. “We are here to support your journey—not control it.”
Concluding his address, Shri Goyal urged the youth to lead India’s charge in sectors like AI, semiconductors, and deep-tech, and play a pivotal role in shaping a self-reliant, innovation-driven Atmanirbhar Bharat.
