The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh launched with great enthusiasm on Thursday, April 3rd at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, drawing the best of the best of India’s startup, tech, and innovation ecosystem.
This year’s theme, “Startup India @ 2047 – Unfolding the Bharat Story”, set the tone for a forward-looking event aimed at transforming India into a developed nation by its centenary year of independence.
First launched in 2024, Startup Mahakumbh has quickly become a flagship government-backed initiative to showcase Indian entrepreneurial talent and innovation on a global platform.
Thousands of participants attended the Day 1 proceedings, with over 3,000 booths displayed across thematic zones—ranging from AI and Deeptech to fintech, defence tech, healthcare, gaming, and more.
The event witnessed strong representation from both the public and private sectors, featuring booths from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government eMarketplace (GeM), and Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), along with leading startups and unicorns like Paytm, Groww, and Swiggy.
A Power-Packed Inauguration
The inaugural ceremony was graced by top government officials including Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada, alongside DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia and GeM ACEO Satya Narayan Meena.
In his address, Jitin Prasada emphasized inclusive participation, stating, “Each person attending today is part of the journey to making India a developed nation by 2047.”
DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjiv highlighted the event’s broader impact: “Startup Mahakumbh is not just a platform—it’s a movement showcasing India’s innovation potential and a push towards a self-reliant startup ecosystem.”
Industry Titans Map the Road to 2047
The opening plenary, titled “Road to Startup India 2047”, featured insightful discussions from leaders across sectors.
GeM CEO Ajay Bhadoo focused on integrating startups with government marketplaces to spur growth, while SIDBI Chairman Manoj Mittal emphasized the need for sustainable startup financing.
upGrad Chairperson Ronnie Screwvala shared his outlook on the evolving workforce, predicting that “20–25% of workers will juggle multiple roles” in the coming years.
His advice to entrepreneurs: “Focus on building value, not just raising funds.”
Other prominent attendees included Nasscom President Rajesh Nambiar, Assocham President Sanjay Nayar, NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam, and FICCI President Harsha Vardhan Agarwal.
Panels Reflect India’s Entrepreneurial Diversity
A series of thematic panel discussions underlined the vibrancy of India’s startup ecosystem.
During a fintech panel, Bajaj Capital’s Sanjiv Bajaj stressed the importance of financial inclusion, while Paytm’s Ripunjai Gaur reflected on how far digital finance has come in the last decade.
IAN Cofounder Padmaja Ruparel called for deeper research and stronger public-private partnerships in biotech and healthcare, urging collaboration to empower young innovators.
In the media and gaming space, Bhavin Pandya, CEO of Games24x7, spotlighted AI’s transformative role: “AI won’t replace humans—it will empower those who can adapt and collaborate with it.”
IDFC FIRST Bank CEO V Vaidyanathan, in a fireside chat, underscored the importance of robust digital infrastructure for scaling startups.
A Call to Dream Big
Wrapping up the day, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal delivered a rousing keynote, reminding entrepreneurs of India’s rising global stature: “We are the fifth-largest economy today and will be the third-largest by 2027. Let’s think big, stay ambitious, and shape the future with deeptech and global aspirations.”
