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Tag: Startup Mahakumbh

  • Piyush Goyal Launches a Special Startup Helpline

    Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, established a special “Startup India Desk” on April 5 that serves as a helpline for nascent Indian business owners. The statement was made by Piyush Goyal during his remarks at the Startup Mahakumbh 2025. The helpline will be established by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), according to the official statement. According to the announcement, the four-digit toll-free helpline will also be available in a number of regional languages. On social media site X (previously Twitter), Piyush Goyal shared a video of his remarks at the Startup Mahakumbh, claiming it was a “new helpline to assist startups”.

    Giving More Power to Country’s Startup Sector

    The minister is heard in the video urging startup creatorsand stating that he will open a desk at “Start-up India” in his ministry that will serve as a hotline for any entrepreneur from across the nation. He went on to say that all they have to do is phone the helpline if an official is bothering them, if they have any recommendations, if they think the laws need to be changed, if they have created anything that calls for new rules, or if they are dealing with corruption or bribery requests. All these issues can be resolved by just calling the helpline number.

    What You Need to Access the Helpline Number?

    A dedicated Startup India Desk will be established at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. This desk will act as a helpline for startups throughout India, accessible through a straightforward 4-digit toll-free number. The support will be offered in regional languages, as per the official announcement made by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. There are currently no additional details available. The toll-free number and other information will probably be made public by the ministry through official means shortly. Additionally, Piyush Goyal announced the second Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), which will offer early-stage funding to new business owners who frequently struggle to obtain conventional sources of funding.

    This year, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) would receive the first tranche of INR 2,000 crore from the approved FFS, which has a capital of INR 10,000 crore. He went on to say that a sizeable amount of the fund would be set aside for deep-tech innovative firms and small business seed funding. According to the statement, the fund will support the development of cutting-edge technologies where lengthy gestation periods and high capital requirements may become obstacles, including robotics, precision manufacturing, biotech, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), quantum computing, and semiconductor design.

  • Startups Protesting in Huge Numbers Following Minister Piyush Goyal’s ‘dukaandari’ Remark

    After Union Minister Piyush Goyal questioned the direction and focus of India’s startup ecosystem, entrepreneurs and leaders have risen to the occasion to defend it. Piyush Goyal critiqued the present trajectory of Indian companies, despite the fact that the country has the third-largest startup environment globally, behind the US and China. He noted that Chinese companies are focused on electric vehicles, battery technology, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. On the other hand, many Indian businesses are concentrating on food delivery, betting, and fantasy sports. During his address at Startup Maha Kumbh, Goyal questioned if we needed to create chips or ice cream. “Dukaandari hi karna hai” means “want to do shopkeeping only?” Instead of striving for greater innovation and long-term advancement in critical technologies, he questioned whether the nation was satisfied with the creation of gig jobs.

    Big Players Strongly Defer from the Minister

    These comments have led to significant replies from well-known names in the startup and tech sector. Prominent investor and former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai claimed the comparison to China was unjust and useless. He expressed concern about how government regulations are impeding the development of deep technology in India. These are poor analogies, Pai wrote on X. India has small startups in each of those fields as well. Instead of criticising the nation’s startups, Minister @PiyushGoyal ought to consider what he has done in his capacity as India’s minister to support the expansion of deep tech start-ups in his home country. He also attributed the obstacles to India’s financial structure and legislation. Pai further added that for long years, India’s hostile @FinMinIndia @nsitharaman harassed start-ups on angel tax, prohibited institutions from investing, and prevented insurance companies from investing, even though they did so all over the world. Due to FE regulations, @RBI frequently harasses foreign investors regarding remittances and AIFs and treats them poorly. Between 2014 and 2024, China made 845 billion dollars in investments. Just 160 billion dollars for India! He asked, “Why isn’t Minister @PiyushGoyal @AshwiniVaishnaw contributing to the resolution of these problems?” Ashneer Grover, a former co-founder of BharatPe, also blasted Goyal for disparaging the startup scene in India. According to him, India’s leaders are the only ones who require a “reality check.” Everybody else is living in India’s harsh reality.

    Zepto’s Palicha Defended India’s Startup Sector

    In response, Zepto founder Aadit Palicha praised Indian consumer internet businesses and emphasised the company’s effect, given that it was founded just 3.5 years ago. One of the pioneers of the fast e-commerce sector, Zepto became a unicorn in 2023. Through its online app, it launched the 10-minute delivery service, which its rivals have now embraced. According to Palicha, it is simple to condemn consumer internet companies in India, particularly when contrasting them with the advanced technological capabilities being developed in the US and China. In reality, there are currently around 1.5 lakh genuine people making a living on Zepto. Zepto has brought in over a billion dollars in foreign direct investment and paid over INR 1,000 crore in taxes to the government annually. On top of that, Zepto has spent hundreds of crores in India’s supply chains, particularly for fresh fruits and vegetables, he added. Palicha went on to say that big internet firms are crucial to the advancement of new technology. Why doesn’t India have a large-scale foundational AI model of its own? he asked.

  • Key Delegates from Across the Globe Join Forces to Scale Startup Mahakumbh to Global Heights

    With a focus on strengthening collaboration amongst stakeholders across the globe, delegates from 30+ countries joined in for an evening of innovation and startups at Vanijya Bhawan on Thursday. The organizing committee members of Startup Mahakumbh supported the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and showcased the expanse of the landmark event at a glittering event, which was aimed at igniting a new era of global innovation.

    With international collaboration at the heart of the Indian startup ecosystem’s growth, key delegates from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ambassadors to the Argentinian and Azerbaijan’s Embassy, Head of the Economic and Innovation Department of Italy, Head of International Cooperation from Mexico, among many other, attended the event.

    The event was spearheaded by India’s foremost Startup Ecosystem Leaders and led by FICCI in collaboration with ASSOCHAM, IVCA, nasscom, Bootstrap Foundation, and other key industry stakeholders, with support from the National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC), DPIIT, Startup India. With a sector-focused approach, across 11 pavillions – AI, Deeptech & Cybersecurity, HealthTech & BioTech, AgriTech, Climate Tech, Incubators & Accelerators, D2C, FinTech, Gaming & Sports, B2B & Precision Manufacturing, Defence & Space Tech and Mobility – the event will create immersive spaces for knowledge exchange, mentorship, and real business opportunities. 

    Speaking on the sidelines of the convivial evening, Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, said, “The Indian startup ecosystem has positioned itself as a formidable force across industries worldwide, and with Startup Mahakumbh – the largest congregation of startups globally – will help in bridging the gap to foster connections with stakeholders transcending borders.”

    Smt. Arti Bhatnagar, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, DPIIT, Startup India said, “This evening marks a significant milestone in India’s startup journey, where global collaboration takes center stage as thought leaders, investors, and innovators from over 30 countries joined hands to foster deeper connections and exchange knowledge. As we move towards building a self-reliant and innovative Viksit Bharat by 2047, such engagements will play a crucial role in driving India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to new heights on the global stage.”

    Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT, said, “By bringing together key global stakeholders, we are not just showcasing the immense innovation happening in India but also forging meaningful collaborations that will drive the future of entrepreneurship for the whole world.”

    Expressing his views, Sanjeev Bikhchandani,, Co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman, Info Edge signed off as he said, “Startup Mahakumbh embodies India’s dynamic spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, helping Indian startups scale internationally. By inviting global innovators to explore the limitless opportunities in Bharat, is a powerful signal of the shared vision we hold for a truly interconnected startup landscape.”

    About Startup Mahakumbh

    Startup Mahakumbh is a first-of-its-kind event bringing together the entire startup ecosystem of India, including startups, investors, incubators and accelerators, and industry leaders from several sectors. The event is led by FICCI, ASSOCHAM, IVCA, NASSCOM and Bootstrap Advisory & Foundation and supported by SIDBI, GEM, ECGC, and DPIIT Startup India.

    The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh is set to make a grand return in 2025, building on the tremendous success of its inaugural edition. The flagship startup event was an extraordinary success, attracting over 48,581 business visitors engaging with 1306 exhibitors, including the finest startups, soonicorns, and unicorn startups from 26+ states and 14+ countries. It also hosted 300+ incubators and accelerators and 200+ leading angel investors, VCs, and family offices.