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Wednesday / April 23. 2025

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HomePosts Tagged "DPIIT"
AgroPolicy, Collaborations, India, Start ups

The event will showcase sectoral pavilions focused on AI, Deeptech & Cybersecurity, HealthTech & BioTech, AgriTech, Climate Tech, Incubators & Accelerators, D2C, FinTech, Gaming & Sports, B2B & Precision Manufacturing, Defence & Space Tech and Mobility.

 To accelerate its vision for – Startup India @ 2047: Unfolding the Bharat Story –organizing committee members of Startup Mahakumbh supported by The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has scheduled an evening of innovation and startups at Vanijya Bhawan with attendees panning across the globe.

To foster collaboration at a global scale, the evening is set to witness delegates from 50+ countries to witness the scale of world’s largest congregation of startups in India at the second edition of Startup Mahakumbh slated to be held at Bharat Mandapam from April 3-5, 2025.

Igniting a New Era of Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the landmark event – Startup Mahakumbh – will aim to shape the future of India’s startup ecosystem with a focus on a self-reliant and innovative Viksit Bharat by 2047. The event will showcase sectoral pavilions focused on AI, Deeptech & Cybersecurity, HealthTech & BioTech, AgriTech, Climate Tech, Incubators & Accelerators, D2C, FinTech, Gaming & Sports, B2B & Precision Manufacturing, Defence & Space Tech and Mobility. Each pavilion will host sector-based exhibitions, conference sessions, master classes, pitching opportunities, roundtables, etc., to facilitate global exposure and opportunities for startups.

Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT, states, “By fostering an innovation-driven culture, this evening will play an integral role in shaping the future of disruptive Indian entrepreneurs. With delegates from over 50 countries, Startup Mahakumbh will be an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the breadth and potential of India’s startup ecosystem on a global stage.”

Asserting the position of India as a key figure in the global startup ecosystem, Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, said, “The evening will help showcase the expanse of India’s startup ecosystem at a convivial yet innovative evening. Ambassadors, Consulates, Deputy High Commissioners, alongside many others from countries such as Italy, Spain, Brazil, Korea, Sri Lanka, among others will help in bridging global networks and fostering collaboration among startups and key stakeholders.”

Archana Jahagirdar, Founding & Managing Partner, Rukam Capital and member of the Organizing Committee at Startup Mahakumbh, said, “Startup Mahakumbh is a remarkable initiative that brings together the best of global innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. It is exciting to witness India’s vibrant startup ecosystem on such a grand stage. This evening provides a unique platform to foster meaningful connections, share insights, and collaborate, driving growth and creating opportunities for disruptive startups to thrive on a global scale.”

The event will showcase sectoral pavilions focused

AgroPolicy, Finance, India, Start ups

A flagship initiative to support early and growth-stage startups across 11 key sectors.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), in collaboration with Avaana Capital, LetsVenture, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), IVCA, HDFC, among others, announced the launch of the Startup Maha Rathi challenge as part of the second edition of Startup Mahakumbh. A flagship initiative aimed at empowering Indian startups through every nook and corner of the country with funding, mentorship, and strategic guidance, this challenge aligns with India’s long-term vision of becoming a developed economy (Viksit Bharat) by 2047. The challenge is set to provide access to up to a Rs 30 crore fund, mentorship from industry experts, and networking opportunities with global investors. In addition, it will also entail special awards for innovative startups from emerging states and union territories through a dedicated program.

Startup Maha Rathi – Rising towards Viksit Bharat – is designed to open doors for budding entrepreneurs across 11 key sectors, including AI & DeepTech, BioTech & Healthtech, Gaming & Sports, Fintech, Incubators & Accelerators, Mobility, Agritech, B2B & Precision Manufacturing, D2C, ClimateTech, and Defence & SpaceTech. The program would be awarded by the Honourable Minister of Commerce and Industry and is aimed at equipping startups with the necessary resources to scale their operations and contribute to India’s technological and economic advancement. Startups selected through this initiative will gain exposure to global markets through Startup India, access to mentorship from industry veterans, investor networking opportunities, and national-level recognition by DPIIT.

The competition will follow a structured, multi-phase selection process, beginning with the application launch on February 26, 2025, and culminate after a 4-step process in an exclusive live pitching finale from April 3-5, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. While each startup shortlisted for the grand jury round receive a guaranteed Rs 1 Lakh, top two startups from each sector will be awarded Rs 10 lakh respectively, while the next five will receive Rs 5 lakh each. Next 5 startups in each track will gain access to Rs 3 lakhs each in addition to financial grants, participating startups will receive expert guidance and investor access through a jury comprising 100+ leading VCs, angel investors, and domain specialists from Starup India and organizations such as Avaana Capital, LetsVenture, KDEM, IVCA, HDFC among many others.

Sharing his thoughts on the launch, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, said, “The Startup Maha Rathi initiative marks a pivotal stride toward achieving India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’ By offering strategic financial support and expert mentorship, this initiative will empower the nation’s most promising startups to scale, innovate, and drive transformative change, strengthening India’s position as a global leader in entrepreneurship and innovation.”

Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT, added, “India’s startup ecosystem is at an inflection point, and initiatives like this are crucial in ensuring that high-potential ventures receive the right support to thrive. By enabling a strong innovation-driven culture, the initiative will play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of disruptive entrepreneurs.”

Anjali Bansal, Founding Partner, Avaana Capital, stated, “Initiatives like Startup Maha Rathi provide catalytic support to entrepreneurs solving for India’s critical priorities—green growth, sustainability, energy transition, food systems, agriculture, and deep tech. The programs not only showcase India’s entrepreneurial strength but also reinforces our ability to develop scalable solutions aligned with national priorities and position India as a global leader to accelerate towards a sustainable, inclusive and globally competitive Viksit Bharat.”

Applications for Startup Maha Rathi 2025 will open on February 26, 2025, with a deadline of March 7, 2025. The next round for startups that are shortlisted after an initial screening, will need to present virtually a jury panel between March 15 – 25th. Eligible startups must be DPIIT-recognized entities in their early or growth stages, operating in India as a Private Limited Company, LLP, or Partnership Firm. Startups can apply through the official website: https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/ams-application/challenge.html?applicationId=67bdbb76e4b0c167e9f99da2

A flagship initiative to support early and

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Live Stock, Start ups

The challenge received applications from 121 startups across the problem statements

The Department of Fisheries launched the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge in partnership with Startup India hub and DPIIT, to identify, reward and recognise startups creating exceptional impact in the fisheries ecosystem. The Fisheries ecosystem in India has been growing over the years, currently having fisheries startups present in 21 states and union territories.

The Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge sought applications across four problem statements. The challenge received applications from 121 startups across the problem statements. After a rigorous analysis, 12 startups have been selected as winners of the challenge.

The selected startups will be felicitated by Parshottam Rupala Minister for Fisheries Animal Husbandry & Dairying, in the presence of Ministers of State, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr L. Murugan and Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan along with Ministers in-charge Fisheries from various States and senior officers of Central and State Governments on the occasion of National Fish Farmer’s Day at Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu.

The selected startups under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana will so be provided with a cash grant of INR 2 lakhs to help them continue building their innovations.

The challenge received applications from 121 startups

India, Start ups

One stop platform to facilitate mentorship for startups

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has launched a call for startup applications for registration on the MAARG portal, the National Mentorship Platform by Startup India.

To further boost the Indian startup ecosystem, currently ranked 3rd largest globally, Startup India is focused on catalysing the startup culture and building a strong and inclusive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in India. In this context, MAARG portal – Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience and Growth, is a one stop platform to facilitate mentorship for startups.

The objectives of the MAARG portal are: to provide sector focused guidance, handholding, and support to startups throughout their lifecycle, to establish a formalised and structured platform that facilitates intelligent matchmaking between the mentors and their respective mentees and to facilitate efficient and expert mentorship for startups and build an outcome-oriented mechanism that allows timely tracking of the mentor-mentee engagements. 

The MAARG Portal is being operationalised in three phases,

Phase I: Mentor Onboarding – Successfully launched and executed, 400+ expert mentors are onboarded across sectors, Phase II: Startup Onboarding – DPIIT is launching the onboarding of startups on the MAARG Portal, Phase III: MAARG Portal Launch and Mentor Matchmaking – Final launch where the mentors will be matched to the startups DPIIT has initiated onboarding process of startups under Phase II. 

One stop platform to facilitate mentorship for